"Hong Kong is the world’s pre-eminent gateway and a ‘super value-adder’ for economies, cultures and peoples, East and West.” This was a statement made by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu when he spoke at the Future Investment Initiative Priority Summit on Dec 7.

On June 29, I attended the “Talk of the Metropolis”, held by Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Dr Ted Suen Yiu-tak, executive director for Digital Mobility at Neom, Saudi Arabia, spoke on cognitive cities. Neom is a smart city being built in northwestern Saudi Arabia that promotes innovation in commerce, livability and sustainable development. The city plan puts a high priority on health and well-being issues and proposes to build more ports, research centers, sports, entertainment and tourism facilities. It also encourages business leaders to develop new technologies and industries in innovative ways. Suen saw Neom as the world’s first cognitive city that aims to be truly sustainable, powered by zero-emissions vehicles, smart infrastructure and multimodal mobility.

Cognitive cities are cities that use advanced technologies such as the internet of things, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics to improve the quality of life for their residents. These technologies are used to collect and analyze data from various sources, such as sensors, cameras and social media, to provide insights into how the city is functioning and how it can be improved.

The future of cognitive cities is likely to be characterized by even greater levels of integration and optimization. As more and more devices become connected to the internet, there will be an increasing amount of data available for analysis. This will enable cities to become even smarter, as they will be able to make more informed decisions based on a wider range of data.

Suen said he believes that the development of smart cities with digital technology will be an important trend in the future, and that Hong Kong could learn from Neom’s development experience. He pointed out that the support from the central government and the unique position of Hong Kong will definitely enable Hong Kong to play a pivotal role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and thus become one of the world leaders in transforming into a truly world-class smart city.

Hong Kong has already made significant progress toward becoming a cognitive city, with the adoption of various smart-city initiatives such as the use of smart transportation systems, smart lighting and smart waste management. However, the future of Hong Kong as a cognitive city will depend on how it continues to integrate advanced technologies to improve the quality of life for its residents.

One area where Hong Kong is likely to see growth is in the use of AI and big data analytics. AI can be used to analyze data from various sources, such as sensors, cameras and social media, to provide insights into how the city is functioning and how it can be improved. For example, AI can be used to optimize traffic flow, reduce energy consumption, and predict and prevent natural disasters.

Enhancing the knowledge of Hong Kong residents in using advanced technology is imperative too. This will empower Hong Kong to change for a better tomorrow. The city will surely thrive with tech-fused warmth. It is not just an ordinary city

Another area where Hong Kong can benefit from cognitive technologies is its healthcare system. The use of telemedicine, remote monitoring and AI-powered diagnostics can help improve access to healthcare and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. This is particularly important given the aging population and the increasing demand for healthcare services in Hong Kong.

In addition, Hong Kong can also benefit from the use of virtual- and augmented-reality technologies in areas such as education and tourism. These technologies can be used to create immersive experiences that allow students to learn in new and engaging ways, and tourists to experience the city’s culture and history in a more interactive manner.

Ever since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced the “Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong” in 2017, digital infrastructure projects and initiatives have been implemented in several areas, including mobility, environment and living, to enable the public to experience the convenience and benefits of smart city and innovative technology in their daily lives.

“If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it,” said Elon Musk, CEO and product architect of Tesla Inc.

Hong Kong should move along the way of becoming a more mature cognitive city with relentless effort, even though there are roadblocks.

On the signboard of the Pulse in Repulse Bay, there is an innovative poster on a stand with the slogan “Together we do much” designed by Feeding Hong Kong, conveying the message “Food wanted, not wasted.” This is a sign showing that Hong Kong does make progress in communicating with innovative means. Those who unfairly criticize the city must be put in their place.

Overall, the future of Hong Kong as a cognitive city is promising, with many opportunities for continued growth via innovation. However, it will be important to ensure that these technologies are used in a responsible and ethical manner, with appropriate safeguards in place to protect the privacy and security of residents’ data. Enhancing the knowledge of Hong Kong residents in using advanced technology is imperative too. This will empower Hong Kong to change for a better tomorrow. The city will surely thrive with tech-fused warmth. It is not just an ordinary city.

The author was previously head of financial management (general manager) of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Ltd, and director and deputy general manager of Nanyang Commercial Bank Ltd.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.