CUHK Faculty of Law (CUHK LAW) and artificial intelligence (AI) software company SenseTime have embarked on joint initiatives to develop an AI model to enhance access to legal information, supporting the digital transformation of legal information provision in Hong Kong.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed on 24 April, promotes the collaboration advancement of technology and law, and seeks to build public good through inclusive technology. The AI model will draw on Sensechat, SenseTime’s Cantonese large model, to provide professional yet accessible, around-the-clock legal information services to address the public’s questions and information needs in relation to commonly encountered legal issues. The model reflects a deep understanding of the legal system and tradition and their sociocultural contexts.

Dean of Law Professor Xi Chao said: “The accessibility of legal information is among the most immediate and tangible ways in which members of the public engage with and understand the legal system. Hong Kong stands as the only region in China that practises the common law and adopts a bilingual legal framework. Anchored in the city’s rich legal and cultural landscape, CUHK LAW recognises the importance of harnessing technology to enhance access to legal knowledge.

“We value our collaboration with SenseTime, focused on improving Cantonese-language access to legal information services – a partnership that brings together the Faculty’s legal expertise and SenseTime’s language-focused AI capabilities, with the aim of better serving the needs of our community. We are also deeply grateful to SenseTime for its meaningful support in nurturing the nex t generation of legal professionals.”

 Dr Lin Dahua, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist for AI Infrastructure and Large Model of SenseTime, added: “This collaboration on the AI model allows both parties to fully harness our respective strengths and to help the general public break down the barriers to legal information.”