An “AI City Brain” integrated city management system will anchor Hong Kong’s upgraded governance framework, as Chief Executive John Lee announced in his Policy Address today.

The artificial intelligence (AI)-driven system will link big data across government works, the environment, transportation and emergency response to create a data-sharing environment for multi-directional empowerment, according to the Policy Address.

The initiative will enable departments to receive real-time information, strengthening their capabilities in day-to-day city management and emergency handling.

A dedicated Task Force on the “AI City Brain” System will be formed to examine and develop the platform, with the digital infrastructure of the Security Bureau’s Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre scheduled for integration in the first phase.

Beyond the city management system, AI will be deployed to optimise broader public services under the “AI+” initiative. The government will improve public rental housing estate management using AI technologies, while the Hospital Authority will leverage them to facilitate service arrangements and reduce average triage times.

Additionally, drone applications will be expanded across emergency response and crime prevention to safeguard citizens.

To boost infrastructure reliability, the government will launch a water supply network upgrading programme to replace or rehabilitate 350km of aged water mains with higher leakage risks over the next five years. This represents an average rate of 70km per year – doubling the target for 2026-27 – with an initial focus on Shau Kei Wan, Wong Tai Sin and Kwai Tsing.

An Intelligent Water Network Closed-loop Management Chain will also be established to perform AI predictive maintenance.

Meanwhile, public services under the 1823 hotline will be upgraded to achieve “prompt referral and successful resolution”. A lead department will be designated and authorised to coordinate inter-departmental service requests and complaints, while each department will assign a directorate officer to monitor handling efficiency.

The system will leverage AI to identify recurrent problems for departments to review, shifting government response from post-complaint management to a proactive approach. The Deputy Chief Secretary will review progress regularly and brief the Steering Committee on District Governance.

Visit Chapter VIII of the Chief Executive’s Policy Address for more details.