Hong Kong civil service chief visits Government Property Agency, sees AI tools
Hong Kong's civil service chief Ingrid Yeung visited the Government Property Agency on 5 October, viewing AI-powered tools for property management and inspection. The agency is using AI to process bills and maintenance requests, and has developed an app that automates inspection reports and uploads
HONG KONG'S Secretary for the Civil Service, Ingrid Yeung Ho-pan-yan, visited the Government Property Agency on 5 October, accompanied by Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service Lam Suet-lai. During the visit, Yeung met with Director of Government Property Szeto Kam-kau and other senior officials to hear about the department's latest developments in government property usage and the optimisation of public spaces in joint-user office buildings.
Yeung also met with property management staff to learn about the team preparing for the rebuilt Huanggang Port, where a cross-disciplinary team is readying the Hong Kong side of the joint inspection building. Szeto said the department's staff were working closely with the Security Bureau and other relevant departments to ensure a smooth opening of the border checkpoint.
Agency staff demonstrated their latest technology applications, including the use of artificial intelligence to process large volumes of property management bills and maintenance requests. The AI system can extract and verify data, reducing manual data entry and cross-checking, shortening workflows and improving the accuracy of the audit process. Staff can then allocate more time to complex cases, enhancing service quality.
Yeung also watched a demonstration of 'Patrol Ease', a mobile app developed by the agency for routine property inspections. The app lists items that must be checked, standardising inspections. Its report-writing function simplifies the process and unifies the report format, helping to systematically compile property inspection data. After AI processing, the data is uploaded to the government cloud, enabling big-data analysis to further optimise services. Inspectors no longer need to carry paper documents such as property plans; instead, they use a tablet loaded with the app to view property information, fill in inspection records, take and upload photos, and generate a draft report automatically.
'The first five-year plan for Hong Kong proposes making good use of AI technology to reform public administration,' Yeung said. 'I encourage bureaus and departments to adopt an innovative spirit, integrate workflows, improve overall efficiency, and build a more professional and effective civil service.'
At the end of the visit, Yeung met with staff representatives from different grades within the department to exchange views on matters of concern.
