Hong Kong authorities have slashed the time required for environmental impact assessments by up to half using artificial intelligence (AI), as part of flagship initiatives in the first batch of projects aimed at enhancing efficiency.
The first batch of 30 projects, involving 13 government departments, was announced on Monday, covering transport and food business licensing, leisure and sports facilities, environmental hygiene, complaint handling, and environmental protection. The projects are being rolled out this year and next.
Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing, who chairs the government’s AI Efficacy Enhancement Team established in last year’s policy address, said the adoption of AI had reduced processing and waiting times for some public services by up to 90 per cent.
Among the projects, the government identified 10 high-impact flagship initiatives, including the Environmental Protection Department’s adoption of AI in environmental impact assessment (EIAs).
An EIA is a statutory procedure that evaluates and mitigates the environmental impacts of major development projects before they are allowed to proceed, as mandated under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance.
The new measure, implemented in the first half of this year, integrated AI with technologies such as light detection and ranging, the Internet of Things, and data analytics.
According to the government, it shortened the time frame for collecting environmental data and completing the EIA process from 36 to 48 months to 15 to 24 months.