ICAC Orchestrates Groundbreaking Global Training on AI and Anti-Corruption
The Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) marked a milestone in international governance by spearheading the first-ever Professional Development Programme on Empowering Integrity: Mastering Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Technologies in Anti-Corruption. The 10-day course brought together 22 anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) from 16 jurisdictions to exchange knowledge on how cutting-edge technology can strengthen graft-fighting capabilities and promote public trust.
A Global Coalition to Modernize Integrity Efforts
Organized in partnership with the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and its GlobE Network, the programme underscored a shared commitment: a future free of corruption achieved through collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and responsible innovation. ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming told participants that technology is a game-changer in the fight against corruption, noting that modern grafts often exploit digital avenues that require equally advanced responses.
Participants from 16 Jurisdictions
The cohort included representatives from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin, Botswana, India, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and Zambia. Also present were officials from the National Commission of Supervision and the Commission Against Corruption in Macao, SAR. Locally, teams from the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department, the Competition Commission, and the ICAC joined to exchange practices and insights across borders.
Inside the ICAC’s Tech-Driven Toolkit
ICAC’s experts shared how AI and digital tools can accelerate investigations while preserving fairness and privacy. Demonstrations covered facial matching, AI-generated summaries, real-time transcripts, and high-tech covert surveillance techniques—showing how these tools can expedite evidence collection, surveillance, and interviews without compromising civil rights. The aim is to equip ACAs with practical skills to adapt to evolving corruption schemes that increasingly rely on technology.
Learning by Doing: From Theory to Field Application
Beyond classroom instruction, a four-day study tour to Wuhan featured visits to innovation centers, robotics facilities, and tech enterprises. Deputy Commissioner and Head of Operations Ricky Yau Shu-chun led 31 participants as they explored AI, robotics, and new energy technologies. The tour provided a hands-on look at how Chinese Mainland tech advances can strengthen graft-fighting capabilities elsewhere, fostering cross-border dialogue on best practices.
Global and Local Thought Leaders
Global perspectives were provided by UNODC’s GlobE Network and INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Center, with senior officials detailing how digital tools and AI are shaping anti-corruption workflows. Locally, experts discussed data governance, integrity management, and the intersection of technology with public policy. Brian Sun Yue-man, Assistant Commissioner (Data Applications) of Hong Kong’s Digital Policy Office, emphasized data governance as foundational to integrity initiatives, while the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau showcased Crypto Trace and Scameter in action. The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department outlined AI-assisted customs investigations, underscoring how technology enhances frontline enforcement.
A Forward-Looking Agenda for Global Anti-Corruption
The programme highlighted that national integrity frameworks must evolve in tandem with technological progress. By sharing tools, processes, and ethical considerations, participants aim to foster interoperable approaches to graft prevention, detection, and enforcement. The involvement of academic and industry voices—such as the University of Hong Kong’s Dr. Wilton Fok Wai-tung, who spoke on AI as a supervisory tool—ensures that innovation remains aligned with legitimate governance norms and civil liberties.
Industry Partners and Emerging Tech in Anti-Corruption
Speakers from cryptocurrency exchanges and leading AI firms provided practical perspectives on digital currencies, blockchain considerations, face recognition, and video analysis. SenseTime contributed a close look at current AI capabilities, while Binance representatives discussed cryptocurrency investigations and anti-corruption safeguards. This blend of law enforcement, academia, and industry demonstrates a holistic approach to modern anti-corruption work.
As ACAs return to their jurisdictions, the participants carry a refreshed toolkit for integrity management—an important step toward expanding the global community’s capacity to detect, deter, and diminish corruption in an increasingly digital world.
