Hong Kong Tests Its Own ChatGPT-Style Tool as OpenAI Implements Access Restrictions
Hong Kong is taking steps to develop its own AI tool similar to ChatGPT, aiming to enhance the efficiency of civil servants. While the capabilities of the local program are yet to be determined, there is optimism that it can catch up with industry standards. However, the development of a politically correct and locally relevant AI tool remains a priority.
This comes after OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, took additional steps to block access from unsupported regions, including Hong Kong.
According to Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong, the government is trying out an AI program called the "document editing co-pilot application for civil servants" to enhance its capabilities. The program was developed by a generative AI research and development center led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in collaboration with other universities.
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer stated that the program's writing assistance functions could greatly improve the efficiency of civil servants by helping them draft, translate, and summarise documents. The program's database and large language model were independently developed by the center.
Sun Dong mentioned that the model is expected to provide additional functions such as graphics and video design in the future. However, it remains unclear how it will compare to the capabilities of ChatGPT. He emphasised that both industry players and the government will play a role in the future development of the model.
Given the current situation in Hong Kong, Sun Dong explained that it is challenging to secure support from giant companies like Microsoft and Google for such projects. Therefore, the government had to take the initiative to develop its own AI tool.
It is worth noting that China, including Hong Kong and Macao, is not on the list of "supported countries and territories" by OpenAI. The company has not provided a specific explanation for this exclusion but has warned that accounts from these regions attempting to access its services may be blocked.
Francis Fong, the honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, expressed uncertainty about whether the capabilities of the local program can match those of ChatGPT. However, he believes that with the involvement of AI companies in Hong Kong, the local program can technologically catch up and be not too far behind.
Fong also highlighted the importance of a locally developed AI program in addressing language and localised issues accurately. However, he added that it is crucial for the final product to be "politically correct."
While ChatGPT is technically unavailable in China due to the country's internet censorship, determined individuals can still access it using virtual private networks (VPNs) that bypass restrictions. Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Baidu have already introduced Chinese-language AI models similar to ChatGPT, but they must adhere to China's strict censorship rules.
In May, China's cyberspace academy announced that an AI chatbot was being trained on President Xi Jinping's doctrine, highlighting the ideological boundaries within which Chinese AI models operate.
In Hong Kong, SenseTime, a major Chinese AI company, launched SenseChat, which primarily caters to Cantonese-speaking users. However, the application fails to provide answers to politically sensitive questions, such as those related to the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989 and the 2019 protests in Hong Kong.
The Tiananmen crackdown refers to the violent suppression of pro-democracy protests by Chinese troops, which remains a taboo subject in mainland China. The 2019 protests in Hong Kong started as opposition to unpopular legislation but evolved into a significant anti-government movement, posing a major challenge to Beijing's rule.
Hong Kong is taking steps to develop its own AI tool similar to ChatGPT, aiming to enhance the efficiency of civil servants.
While the capabilities of the local program are yet to be determined, there is optimism that it can catch up with industry standards.
However, the development of a politically correct and locally relevant AI tool remains a priority.
Source: AP News