InnoTech Forum 2024 Highlights Hong Kong's AI and Green Energy Innovation Strategies

InvestHK and media partner South China Morning Post take deep dive into Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem at InnoTech Forum 2024

Organised by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) along with media partner South China Morning Post, the InnoTech Forum 2024 took place today (October 18) at the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel and was attended by over 200 guests. Through keynote addresses, in-depth panel discussions and presentations, the full-day forum provided audience members with an engaging discussion on the development of Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem, long-term strategic plans and the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and new energy technologies in reshaping the city and the economy.

During his keynote address at the forum, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "AI remains a key driver of I&T and business development. The Government has invested billions of dollars in cultivating an all-round AI ecosystem here in Hong Kong. Cyberport will soon put into operation its AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) to support the strong computing demand from universities, research institutes and the industry. To support the commissioning of the AISC, the Government has allocated $3 billion to launch a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme. The Policy Address announced that the Government will pilot the use of a generative AI document processing copilot application, developed on the basis of a locally trained large language model, within the Government. In fact, a number of the hundred digital government and smart city initiatives that the Government presses ahead for rollout this year and next will make use of AI technology. Hong Kong stands on the cusp of making ground-breaking strides by capitalising on the vast potential of AI and other cutting-edge technologies. We are partners in this journey to seize the opportunities that lie ahead."

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said, "In pursuit of carbon neutrality, green transformation is becoming a global trend and this will continue in the coming decades, triggering tremendous demands for green energy and various low-carbon technologies. Hydrogen is a secondary carrier of energy and is highly energy-efficient with less polluting potential. The Government published the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong in June this year. The Strategy puts forward four major strategies, namely improving legislations, establishing standards, aligning with the market, and advancing with prudence, with a view to getting the laws, standards and the basic infrastructure ready so as to create an environment conducive to the development of hydrogen energy in a prudent and orderly manner. By leveraging our advantage as an international hub, backed by our motherland and with innovation and devotion of the city, we can position Hong Kong as a key driver of hydrogen economy, towards carbon neutrality as well as a sustainable and prosperous future."

The discussion at the forum explored the importance of AI and new energy in integrating sustainability and resilience into modern cities, with panel discussions on the following topics:

developing the AI ecosystem for long-term success with a focus on recent advancements in Hong Kong, including the development of cutting-edge infrastructure, talent cultivation, commercialisation of research, and financial incentives, and how a robust and sustainable AI ecosystem can benefit Hong Kong;

real-life applications of AI in Hong Kong and beyond highlighting the latest trends and developments of AI innovations and how the city's connected innovation system supports their growth on a global scale;

How hydrogen is emerging as a core new energy priority, in line with the Hong Kong Government's recently published hydrogen development strategy; and

imagining Hong Kong's future with innovative energy projects and how the city will evolve as these technologies mature and scale.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "This Forum has fostered meaningful dialogue, inspired new ideas and catalysed further collaboration between the Government, industry, academia and relevant stakeholders. As indicated in “The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address” a couple of days ago, the Government has always spearheaded and enhanced the development of Hong Kong's I&T industries and will continue to do so. Working together, we believe Hong Kong can remain at the forefront of innovation, harnessing the power of both AI and energy technologies to build a prosperous and sustainable future."

The Head of Innovation and Technology at InvestHK,MrAndy Wong, said, "AI is one of the strategic pillars in our Government's agenda to drive digital economy. To accelerate its development, the Government is establishing the AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) and has set aside $3 billion to support the use of AISC financially. On the hydrogen front, legislation and standards shall be optimised to align with technology and market development, as well as enabling the trial of different hydrogen-related projects. All these will further propel Hong Kong to be a top-notch international innovation and technology hub, as well as a 'living lab' for technology to be adopted in other markets."

InvestHK and media partner South China Morning Post take deep dive into Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem at InnoTech Forum 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK and media partner South China Morning Post take deep dive into Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem at InnoTech Forum 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by SCST and AD of AFCD (Inspection and Quarantine) on incident of animal death at HKZBG at media session

Following is the remarks by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; and the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (Inspection and Quarantine), Dr Thomas Sit, on the incident of animal death at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) this afternoon (October 18):

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism: Eight monkeys were found dead in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens on October 13, while two others feeling unwell were being isolated, and one of which passed away on October 14.

With concerted efforts from relevant departments, expedited autopsies, pathologic diagnosis and tests, and after discussions among the relevant departments, it is confirmed that the monkeys’ death is due to infection of melioidosis. We are saddened by the passing of the nine monkeys.

Under normal circumstances, melioidosis infection is through contact with contaminated soil and surface waters but not person-to-person or animal-to-person.

The park had soil digging works in early October. Together with the following possibilities, the monkeys might have had contact with the bacteria.

• Staff working at the Mammals Section carried the contaminated soil with the shoes they wore to the cages, or

• Infected monkeys with high counts of bacteria in close contact with other monkeys etc.

In addition, the incubation period for melioidosis in primates is about a week, and this matched with the period after the soil digging works. The nine monkeys died of melioidosis may be related to the soil digging works in proximity.

The LCSD has already taken several precautionary measures after animals were found dead:

1) The Mammals Section of the Gardens (HKZBG) has been closed since October 14.

2) Thorough disinfection and cleaning have been carried out in the animal cages involved.

3) Appropriate protective gear have been provided to staff who work there and staff’s health condition is being closely monitored. At present, their health is normal.

4) Staff concerned are all tested negative for the bacteria.

We will continue monitoring the mammals in the gardens and remind staff to pay attention to their own condition, and to report immediately if any of them feels unwell.

Reporter: Did the monkeys show any symptoms of the disease? Why operators did not realise that prior to their death? Because this is also a disease which can also affect human, is there a need to close the whole facility to prevent visitors from being affected?

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism: Let me tackle the second question first, whether there is a need to close down the whole garden. As I said, we have taken all the cleansing and disinfection measures on the cages. So, with all these measures, we believe that it is now clean and free of the bacteria. We have also cordoned off the whole Mammal Section for the time being, so there will be no sort of contact between normal citizens and the animals. At this stage, I think these measures are sufficient to protect both the citizens as well as the animals in the zoo.

Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (Inspection and Quarantine): As far as I know, according to the vet in charge of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, he said before that the animals have already lost their appetite. They were a bit of inappetence and a bit quieter than normal. The onset of all the clinical signs only took two days, and then there was a sudden death of animals. The vet has already taken all the measures to treat the monkeys. However, these affected monkeys could not make it. And he had to perform post-mortem and isolate other animals to prevent further spread of the disease.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)