Mrs Stephanie DODIN (Executive Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to join you at this year’s Smart City Forum organised by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

With the theme “Merging Technology with Heritage for Sustainable Cities”, today’s forum brings together leaders and innovators in the field to address the critical challenge of building a smart city while embracing our cultural heritage. The forum will explore how innovation and technology (I&T) drives smart city development, discuss retrofitting for smart growth, crafting liveable and sustainable cities, leveraging technology for transformation, and the importance of fostering a smart future through better education. I am confident the forum will be both enlightening and engaging.

As we work towards merging technology with our rich heritage, it is essential to recognise the transformative impact of I&T on our daily lives and urban environment. The Government has taken significant steps to establish a clear development path and strategic framework for Hong Kong’s I&T advancement. The Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint, promulgated in 2022, sets out our vision to make Hong Kong a smarter and more liveable city, enhancing convenience, sustainability, and quality of life for all citizens.

Among the many emerging technologies outlined in the Blueprint, artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as a powerful enabler for smart city development. The future will be shaped not only by the speed at which AI and machines learn, but also by how effectively we integrate these intelligent systems into our daily lives. For example, combining AI with advanced construction and engineering technologies, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Internet of things (IoT), will enhance the management and maintenance of our buildings and facilities. This synergy enables smarter urban development, unlocking new levels of efficiency, sustainability, and citizen engagement.

Recognising AI’s pivotal role, the Government has launched a series of strategic initiatives to foster the growth of the AI ecosystem in Hong Kong. Last year, Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) commenced operations to meet the strong local demand for computing power, and its computing power will ramp up to 3 000 petaFLOPS this year. To further support the development of our local AI ecosystem, the Government has launched a $3-billion AI Subsidy Scheme to support local universities, research institutes, and enterprises to access the center’s resources. This year’s Budget has also set aside $1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, which will spearhead AI development in Hong Kong and promote cross-sectoral collaboration.

To complement these efforts and further strengthen the integration of I&T into public services, we established the Smart Government Innovation Lab (Smart Lab) to help government departments identify suitable I&T products and solutions that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public services. By gathering the business needs of government departments and inviting innovative solutions from the I&T sector, particularly local start-ups, we have successfully matched over 140 business needs with technology solutions in areas such as AI, robotics, IoT, and GIS. I strongly encourage technology enterprises to connect with the Smart Lab (www.smartlab.gov.hk) to showcase your solutions and unlock new business opportunities. Together, we can shape a smarter and more resilient future for Hong Kong, ensuring that technology serves to enhance both our heritage and urban environments.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Government is committed to harnessing I&T to build Hong Kong into a sustainable, world-class smart city. I invite all of you, the leaders and innovators gathered here today, to partner with us to co-create the future of Hong Kong. Your ideas, technologies, and visionary insights are invaluable to shaping our path forward.

Thank you.

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