Hong Kong anti-drug AI video fiasco undermines trust in tech goals

Hong Kong's Correctional Services Department released an AI-generated anti-drug video on June 26, only to withdraw it twice after public backlash. The video depicted K-pop girl band singers personifying cocaine, crystal meth, cannabis, and etomidate, inadvertently glamorizing drug use. It went viral internationally, spawning memes, fan pages, and parodies, but the anti-drug message was lost. Critics argue the mishap reveals incompetence in AI deployment, casting doubt on Hong Kong's ambitions to become an AI hub. The department's overzealous use of AI and lack of oversight led to the fiasco, with social media users pointing out the obvious flaws.