1. Objectives and Key Areas of Guidelines
2. Recommendations for Transparency and Accountability
3. Data Protection and Privacy Compliance

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has released a set of guidelines for the use of generative AI (GenAI) to protect consumers, especially in the banking sector.

Objectives and Key Areas of Guidelines

The HKMA issued the guidelines in response to the development of big data analytics and artificial intelligence. The guidelines focus on four key areas: governance and accountability, fairness, transparency and disclosure, and data privacy and protection.

Recommendations for Transparency and Accountability

According to an HKMA survey, around 75% of authorized institutions in Hong Kong either use or plan to use AI for their operations. Additionally, 39% of these institutions shared that they have adopted or plan to adopt generative AI in general banking products and services. Alan Au, the executive director of banking conduct at HKMA, stated that the boards of these institutions should be accountable for all generative AI-driven processes and decisions. Alan also stressed the necessity of careful consideration of GenAI’s potential impact on customers through an appropriate committee.

Data Protection and Privacy Compliance

The fourth key area mentioned in the HKMA guidelines relates to data protection and privacy. Alan Au emphasized that institutions should have necessary protection measures to ensure customer data is kept safe. Additionally, if generative AI applications are used to collect and process personal data, the institutions should comply with personal data protection regulations.

The HKMA guidelines aim to ensure fair, transparent, and ethical use of generative AI in the banking sector, with a strong emphasis on customer data protection.