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Artificial intelligence

Hong Kong Government Promotes Lawtech and AI Development in Legal Sector

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Hong Kong Government, through its Department of Justice, has been actively promoting the application of legal technology (lawtech) and artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal sector. The government has developed large language models for use in areas of the common law and is considering the participation of AI in various legal applications. To foster exchange and cooperation, the government plans to hold lawtech and AI summits and international exhibitions on a regular basis. The government has also established a consultation group to study and formulate policy measures related to lawtech, with a focus on supporting small and medium-sized law firms in adopting lawtech and AI.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Center (HKGAI) has developed a local large language model (LLM) called "HKGAI V1" based on DeepSeek technology.
  • The LLM has been applied in multiple vertical applications for various public service sectors, including the generative AI document assistance application "HKPilot" and the legal-related "LexiHK".
  • The Department of Justice is participating in the pilot use of "HKPilot" and considering participating in the trial of "LexiHK" after reviewing its effectiveness.
  • The government has established a consultation group to study and formulate policy measures related to lawtech, with a focus on supporting small and medium-sized law firms in adopting lawtech and AI.
  • The DoJ has accepted the suggestion of the Consultation Group and plans to promote the use of technology in the legal industry progressively in three stages.
  • In Phase 1, the DoJ will raise awareness of lawtech through a series of roundtables and events, and strengthen training related to lawtech in legal education curricula.
  • In Phase 2, the DoJ will organize an exhibition of lawtech products and consider conducting a market survey to provide more information to the legal sector.
  • In Phase 3, the DoJ will encourage local and overseas lawtech enterprises to establish and grow in the local market, and review the effectiveness of the above strategies.

Statistics:

  • The Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI) has developed a large language model (LLM) called "HKGAI V1".
  • The LLM has been applied in multiple vertical applications for various public service sectors.
  • 17% of small and medium-sized law firms in Hong Kong have not participated in lawtech training programs.
  • The Department of Justice has accepted the suggestion of the Consultation Group and plans to allocate HKD 10 million to support lawtech research and development projects.

Sources:

  • Hong Kong Government official document
  • Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI) press release
  • Consultation Group on Lawtech Development (Consultation Group) report
  • Department of Justice (DoJ) official statement

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