Hong Kong to set up task force on AI liability, minister says
Hong Kong will set up a dedicated task force to study legal liability for damage caused by AI products, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said. The move comes as the city advances its first five-year development plan, with the government also pledging HK$1 billion for AI funding.
Hong Kong's justice secretary said the government will set up a dedicated task force to study legal liability for damage caused by artificial-intelligence products, as lawmakers debated the city's first five-year development plan.
Paul Lam, Secretary for Justice, told the Legislative Council on Thursday that the task force, to be led by the Department of Justice, would examine the issue of who is responsible when AI products cause harm. The announcement came during the second day of a merged debate on the five-year plan and the chief executive's policy address.
Lam said some lawmakers had suggested issuing guidance based on the age of minors before a review of AI-related regulations is completed, and guiding minors towards self-protection. He said the law is one option, but education is equally important, and that guidelines or handbooks targeting minors, and even teachers and parents, would offer greater flexibility.
Separately, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said the government is promoting an "AI+" initiative in response to the five-year plan. The first phase of the San Tin data park is expected to begin operations by the middle of next year, he said.
The government will inject HK$1 billion into an AI funding scheme to support frontier technology and innovation breakthroughs, Sun said. He added that the Digital Policy Office will appoint an AI commissioner to help advance the government's AI risk-governance strategy.
The commissioner will work with the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute to issue safety-management guidelines for AI agents, Sun said. The government will also continue to enhance AI literacy through various programmes and support small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting AI and cybersecurity solutions to improve competitiveness.