Media Statements

Privacy Commissioner’s Office and Digital Policy Office Collaborate to Launch the Safeguarding Personal Data AI Sandbox

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in Hong Kong is transforming organisational practices in content creation, data analysis and service delivery, while also presenting emerging challenges in safeguarding personal data. In active alignment with the guiding principle of ensuring both development and security under the National 15^th Five-Year Plan, and to implement the policy direction of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in promoting the development of “AI+”, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) and the Digital Policy Office (DPO) today announced the launch of the Safeguarding Personal Data AI Sandbox (Sandbox) dedicated to primary and secondary schools. The Sandbox project is supported by the Hong Kong Cyberport (Cyberport), the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the Association of I.T. Leaders in Education and the Hong Kong Association for Computer Education as supporting organisations.
 
The Sandbox aims to provide a collaborative platform for participating schools, AI solution suppliers, the PCPD, the DPO, the Cyberport and the HKPC, with a view to fostering innovation while facilitating compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and promoting the responsible adoption of AI technologies. 
 
Open to applications from all publicly-funded primary and secondary schools, the first phase of the Sandbox will be six months. The Sandbox will focus on supporting schools in exploring and adopting AI solutions. In the first phase, 15 applicants will be selected to benefit from complimentary access to the PCPD’s regulatory guidance on personal data privacy protection, DPO’s guidance on the Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence Technical and Application Guideline, as well as technical advice from the Cyberport and the HKPC in implementing AI solutions.
 
The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Ms Ada CHUNG Lai-ling, said, “While AI holds tremendous potential to enhance teaching and learning experience, its use must be underpinned by robust safeguards to protect personal data, particularly that of students. Through our collaboration with the DPO in launching the Sandbox, we are committed to supporting schools in harnessing the benefits of AI responsibly and safely, while fostering innovation grounded in trust and security.”
 
Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel CHEUNG Yee-wai, said, “The development of AI must be steered by safety and driven by application. The Government attaches great importance to the governance and risk management of AI applications and actively provides concrete guidance for the development and application of AI technology through establishment of relevant frameworks and guidelines.”
 
Applications for the Sandbox are now open until 30 October 2026. A briefing session on details of the Sandbox will be held on 28 August 2026, details will be announced in due course.   
 
Interested schools may submit their applications through the dedicated application channel. Further details on the Sandbox and the application process, including the application form and evaluation criteria, are set out in the Framework of the Safeguarding Personal Data AI Sandbox, which is available on the “AI Privacy Protection” thematic webpage of the PCPD’s website. Interested schools may visit https://www.pcpd.org.hk/english/artificial_intelligence/index.html for details of the Sandbox.