The Leisure & Cultural Services Department announced today that it will conduct a trial of an artificial intelligence (AI) drowning detection system at the Kwun Tong Swimming Pool's outdoor secondary pool starting July 31.

Aiming to strengthen lifesaving services at public swimming pools, the system will apply AI detection technology to analyse the videos and images captured by its camera, then distinguish the swimmers’ motions and calculate the probability of drowning using AI algorithms, the department explained.

If the system detects a suspected drowning, it will alert the lifeguards, enabling them rescue the swimmer as soon as possible.

The department added that to protect swimmers’ privacy, the system will neither collect or show their facial or body images, nor retain any images or footage.

The system is developed and authorised by the University of Hong Kong’s Sports Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Technology Transfer Office, with funding support from the Innovation & Technology Commission’s Innovation & Technology Fund.

At the end of the swimming season, the department will conduct a review on the effectiveness of the trial. The trial will serve as one of the references for developing a drowning detection system that is suitable for use in public swimming pools.