HK not latecomer but conservative on AI education: lawmaker

Hong Kong may not be late to the race of artificial intelligence education, but is conservative on the issue, an education sector lawmaker said, as legislators discussed a motion urging the introduction of AI into primary and secondary school curricula.

This came as lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun today put forward a motion urging the government to study curriculum reform and review whether existing subjects can cope with the future development of AI in a timely manner.

Tien raised concerns about whether primary and secondary school curricula in Hong Kong are still relying on traditional teaching methods, or adapt to recent advancements. He also wondered how AI could integrate with different subjects.

Education sector lawmaker Chu Kwok-keung said Hong Kong is not a latecomer to AI education as the city launched a primary curriculum on programming, and a framework for junior secondary students on AI ethics and computer perspectives two years ago.

Chu said the city is not making big enough strides on AI education, and its stance is rather conservative, because AI was not introduced until secondary school, but many primary students already know how to use AI for homework and creativity.

Lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon agreed that while AI offers convenience, it carries the risk of cognitive decline, warning that if students rely too much on the tool for writing ideas, math reasoning and ethical judgement, their thinking may become rigid.

Deputy Secretary for Education Jeff Sze Chun-fai said the Education Bureau is gradually introducing programming and AI education from upper primary school, with increasing requirements in secondary school.

Regarding issues arising from AI technology, he said the bureau has strengthened the information literacy framework, while new content has been introduced to address ethical concerns related to the application of emerging technologies.

(Jamie Liu)