Hong Kong Takes Steps Towards Technological Independence with Homegrown AI Tool

Hong Kong is reportedly paving the way towards technological independence by testing its own artificial intelligence tool inspired by ChatGPT. This development comes after OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, restricted access to its services in the region.

According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), Sun Dong, Hong Kong’s Innovation Minister, announced the government’s initiative on a radio program. The AI tool, currently referred to as the “document assistance application for civil servants” in Chinese, is undergoing testing within government departments with plans for a wider public release later this year. Developed through a collaborative effort led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the tool is expected to expand its capabilities beyond document assistance, potentially including graphic and video design functions in the future.

“Given Hong Kong’s current situation, it’s difficult for Hong Kong to get giant companies like Microsoft and Google to subsidize such projects, so the government had to start doing it,” Sun Dong remarked.

This move towards technological autonomy is driven by the ongoing competition for AI dominance between the United States and China. With China aiming to lead the global AI industry by 2030, Hong Kong’s exclusion from OpenAI’s supported regions prompted the government to seek its own AI solution.

The limited access to foreign technology underscores the necessity for domestic innovation. While Hong Kong enjoys relatively more internet freedom compared to mainland China’s censorship, the lack of support from major tech companies like Microsoft and Google necessitates government intervention to nurture domestic AI development.

China’s tech giants, such as Alibaba and Baidu, have already introduced AI models similar to ChatGPT, but these operate within the confines of China’s censorship rules. This reflects the ideological considerations guiding AI development in China, exemplified by the training of an AI chatbot on President Xi Jinping’s ideology.

Hong Kong’s indigenous AI tool marks a strategic move towards technological autonomy and mirrors the broader geopolitical landscape surrounding AI development. This step signifies Hong Kong’s commitment to technological independence and innovation in the face of global competition.