Hong Kong’s HK$200 Million AI City Brain to Focus on Infrastructure Monitoring

Hong Kong authorities will prioritise infrastructure monitoring as they develop the first phase of an AI-powered urban management system, officials told a Legislative Council meeting on Tuesday.

The HK$200 million project will first focus on integrating infrastructure databases before the authorities explore expanding the system into public services.

Databases to form the initial focus

Undersecretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Lillian Cheong Man-lei said authorities would prioritise incorporating several databases that monitor city infrastructure conditions into the “AI city brain” system.

These databases include the Lands Department’s geospatial database and its underground utilities system.

The underground utilities system maps the conditions of water, natural gas pipes and the electricity grid.

Officials also said government arms were encouraged to develop their own databases before connecting them to the “AI city brain”.

This approach means the system’s initial development will be centred on bringing together information about infrastructure and underground utilities.

The authorities are expected to examine the system’s possible expansion into public services at later stages, after the initial focus on infrastructure monitoring.

The project therefore begins with databases covering the city’s physical systems, while leaving wider public-service applications for a later phase.

Source: South China Morning Post