John Lee warns AI risks must stay front of mind
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Hong Kong’s approach to artificial intelligence should be to harness the technology while tightly managing its risks. Speaking on a radio simulcast on September 17, he said AI’s future development is difficult to foresee and that the possibility of serious long-term harm must remain in policymakers’ minds. The 2026 Policy Address proposes studying legislation on deepfake-related pornography and online scams, alongside powers to remove suspected financial and AI fraud content online. Lee also said the government will study children’s social media use and promote AI literacy in schools
Key Points
- In the 2026 Policy Address, the government proposed studying laws to regulate deepfake-related pornography and online fraud offences, plus powers to remove suspected financial and AI scam content
- Lee said the administration is focused on balancing technological competitiveness with control of potential risks, while referring to United Nations and other international governance research
- Asked about claims that AI could destroy humanity, Lee said future development is something “nobody can fully predict” and the risk must always be kept in mind
- Lee said he uses AI assistance in nearly half of his daily work, mainly for compiling public information, framing broad concepts and referencing overseas practices
- He warned that public AI tools have confidentiality limits, so sensitive information must never be entered, and AI-generated data must be independently verified before decisions are made
Why It Matters
Hong Kong is trying to accelerate AI adoption without waiting for every legal reform to be completed, which could shape how quickly businesses, schools and public bodies deploy the technology. The government’s emphasis on both enforcement against deepfake scams and education on responsible use suggests regulation in Hong Kong may develop on two tracks at once: policing abuse and building everyday safeguards