iAM Smart upgrade to include all government services

Ayra Wang

All government services are expected to be accessible through the iAM Smart platform by the end of next year, says Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong.

The tech minister said the government is also intensively setting up the "digital identity of enterprises" platform, which will act as the business version of iAM Smart.

"The platform will enable authentication of identity in a secure and convenient manner and simplify the verification procedure when enterprises use electronic government services or conduct online business transactions, helping their digital transformation," Sun told a forum on new quality productive forces at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre yesterday.

He said the one-stop government service digital platform is undergoing comprehensive upgrading and it will be able to offer all government services to people online within next year.

Authorities are introducing policies and measures on promoting the development of digital economy and smart transformation in the city, Sun said, adding: "Developing new quality productive forces is closely related to building a smart city and the development of digital economy.

"Smart city is the backbone of developing digital economy while the digital economy will support cultivating and developing new quality productive forces."

Sun said the Digital Policy Office, which was set up in July, will take the lead in promoting data-driven and people-oriented policies to improve the efficiency of government services and accelerate the building of digital government. The office has completed an e-government audit of 73 bureaus and departments and will launch over 110 digital government initiatives to promote digital government and smart city by end-2025.

"Technologies such as artificial intelligence and chatbots will be utilized to offer more convenient and efficient government services to the public, and data exchange between departments will be enhanced," Sun said.

The first phase facility of the Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre in Cyberport will start operating within the year, he said.

Sun said the government will invest HK$3 billion in a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme to promote the development of the AI ecosystem in Hong Kong.

"We will also actively strengthen cooperation with Greater Bay Area cities to build a beautiful and outstanding smart city cluster and work together to create coordinated advantages, making the area more competitive among global smart cities."

Calling for support and cooperation from other stakeholders at the forum, Sun said: "The government looks forward to keep working with all sectors of society to speed up the implementation of various relevant measures to build a more livable and vibrant Hong Kong, where people can enjoy the benefits brought by technology."

He said his bureau will also support and cooperate with the Transport and Logistics Bureau in promoting the development of a low-altitude economy by providing technical support and creating new application scenarios.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com