Retiring Hong Kong deputy police commissioner warns AI poses new national security threat

Retiring deputy police commissioner Andrew Kan Kai-yan has said artificial intelligence (AI) poses a new threat to national security in Hong Kong, with the force turning to the emerging technology to help combat the issue.

Kan raised the alarm after state security minister Chen Yixin warned last week of rising national security risks posed by AI. The senior mainland Chinese official also called for robust risk prevention frameworks and stronger global governance of the technology.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu outlined plans in his annual policy address last week to adopt an AI risk‑governance strategy, focusing on combating the use of such technologies in criminal activities and formulating safety‑management guidelines for AI agents.

Kan, 57, who headed the National Security Department, began his pre-retirement leave on Tuesday after 35 years on the force.