Will Hong Kong's new AI 'City Brain' really stop at traffic monitoring?

The Policy Address proposed building an AI 'City Brain' for Hong Kong, integrating real-time data from closed-circuit television, sensors and other sources to optimise traffic lights and urban governance. The Security Bureau's Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre will be the first department to connect to it, and a project working group will be established in the fourth quarter of 2026, led by Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan. He stressed that the City Brain would not be used to monitor individuals, crimes or catch criminals. The writer questions whether the scope of surveillance may go beyond traffic.