Editorial | Tracking Hong Kong’s rat activity puts AI to good use
- Using artificial intelligence to monitor rodent infestations is a vast improvement over long-used sweet potato bait, but requires shops, restaurants and households to do their part as well
From replacing jobs to deepfake scams, artificial intelligence has seemingly made life more challenging for many. But it has also redefined boundaries and created hope and new opportunities on different fronts. The application of AI in fighting rat infestations in Hong Kong is the latest example of how new technology can revolutionise public policies and tackle long-standing problems more effectively.
For decades, the government has counted on a “rodent infestation index” by counting the ratio of sweet potato bait consumed in designated spots. But the scope of the survey was limited and the bait could be tampered with by humans or other animals.
The switch to surveillance involving thermal cameras and AI techniques is said to provide a more accurate way to monitor rodent activities. By capturing an image every two minutes from 7pm to 7am for three nights in a row, the system will generate a “rodent absence rate” by counting the number of images without rats – an approach said to be effective. Around 200 to 300 surveillance spots will be identified in each of 19 areas managed by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Based on complaints, the capture of live rats and other factors, a target list will be drawn up to identify surveillance locations.
The existing method has been in use since 2000 despite repeated criticism of its effectiveness. While the number of complaints has risen in recent years, the index remains at a relatively low level since falling in its earlier stages. The inadequacies were only acknowledged by the government when it initiated a clean-up campaign that also targets illegal waste disposal, dripping air conditioners, street obstructions and other environmental nuisances.
Whether the new method makes for a stronger weapon against our old enemy remains to be seen. But we hope officials have settled on a successful remedy this time. Belated as it is, the reform needs to go beyond a more accurate assessment of rat activity. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) in 2003 and the recent coronavirus pandemic have taught Hong Kong a dear lesson on the importance of environmental hygiene. Shops, restaurants and households must also play their part in keeping the city clean.