The first batch of 30 projects aimed at enhancing efficiency was announced on Monday. It involves 13 government departments, covering transport and food business licensing, leisure and sports facilities, environmental hygiene, complaint handling, and environmental protection. These projects are being rolled out this year and next.

Among the projects, the government identified 10 high-impact flagship initiatives, including the Environmental Protection Department’s adoption of AI in environmental impact assessment (EIAs).

An EIA is a statutory procedure that evaluates and mitigates the environmental impacts of major development projects before they are allowed to proceed, as mandated under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance.

The new measure, implemented in the first half of this year, integrated AI with technologies such as light detection and ranging, the Internet of Things and data analytics.

According to the government, it shortened the time frame for collecting environmental data and completing the EIA process from 36 to 48 months to 15 to 24 months.