In brief
An AI‑generated anti‑drug clip released by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department on 26 June for the International Day Against Drug Abuse drew sharp criticism for making drugs appear attractive. Public backlash erupted on social media, questioning the ethics of using artificial‑intelligence imagery to influence youth behaviour. BBC Chinese service reporter Martin Yip reports how the controversy unfolded and highlights concerns over the visual treatment’s unintended appeal. The incident underscores broader debates about digital health campaigns and policy messaging in the age of AI.
On 26 June, the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department released an AI‑generated video for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Its aim was to warn about drug use, but the clip attracted criticism for presenting prescription drugs and other substances in an alluring visual style.
Public reaction across Hong Kong and wider Asia was swift, with social media users and policy analysts arguing that the treatment could unintentionally glamorise the behaviour the video sought to deter.
BBC Chinese service’s Martin Yip reports how the footage, created with artificial‑intelligence techniques, has sparked debate among experts who are increasingly sceptical of such digital campaigns.
The department’s decision to employ complex AI imagery raises questions about the ethics of automated content and its potential effects on youth audiences.
