The Smart City Forum in the Greater Bay Area was held at Hong Kong Baptist University in May 2024. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Themed "Smart, Connected, Green, and Humanistic", the Smart City Forum in the Greater Bay Area, was held at Hong Kong Baptist University recently, aiming at fostering cooperation and contributing to the promotion of new quality productive forces and international development in the digital sector.

The forum was organized by the Department of Government and International Studies at HKBU in collaboration with various industry associations.

Alexander Wai, president and professor of HKBU, delivered the opening address, emphasizing the critical role of AI technology as a driving force for innovation, as well as its significance in promoting social harmony.

He expressed his hope that the forum would provide a platform to discuss the current status and future trends of smart city development in the GBA, particularly in areas such as data governance and industrial integration.

As the main organizer of this forum, Li Yiran, assistant professor in the Department of Government and International Studies at HKBU, gave a speech titled "Making Governance Agile: exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in China's local governance", providing an in-depth analysis of Shenzhen's innovative practices in agile governance and AI.

She shared theoretical research results and practical experiences in smart city construction, emphasizing the role of AI in enhancing government services, strengthening cross-departmental collaboration, and improving working efficiency.

Alistair Cole, head of the Department of Government and International Studies at HKBU, explored HK's status as a smart city on the international stage and its impact on residents' sense of pride, noting that education and age are significant factors influencing these perceptions.

The event has brought together experts from the Chief Executive's Policy Unit, the Office of Government Chief Information Officer, the Development Bureau of the HK government, universities in Hong Kong, Macao, and Chinese mainland, research institutions, industry associations in the Internet of Things sector and technology enterprises to discuss the future of smart city development in the GBA.

The forum also showcased new tools, trends, and pathways for smart city management. The event culminated in the launch of the "Greater Bay Area Smart City Integration White Paper", initiated by HKBU, along with several other partners, seeking to explore new opportunities for government-enterprise cooperation and offer recommendations for policy-making and updates in relevant industries.

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