Open Data Hackathon has been Fostering Innovation and Community Engagement
Hong Kong has long been recognized as a global financial and technological hub. To maintain its competitive edge and drive sustainable development, the city must embrace digital transformation, particularly through the promotion of Open Data and its applications. The Open Data Portal (https://data.gov.hk) and the Hong Kong Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI) Portal (https://portal.csdi.gov.hk/csdi-webpage/) serve as critical platforms for making government and public sector data accessible to citizens, businesses, and researchers.
However, simply providing Open Data is not enough. The public must be encouraged to use, analyze, and innovate with this data to solve real-world problems. One effective way to achieve this is through knowledge sharing or contests, which bring together diverse groups to develop creative solutions. Since 2021, the Hong Kong Technology Advancement Group (HKtag) has organized the Open Data Hackathon, engaging primary school students, secondary school students, tertiary students, and the general public.
Open Data Hackathon in 2025
Given the success and impact of the Open Data Hackathon since 2021, there is a strong case for continuing this event in 2025. With AI becoming universal, the ‘Smart Economy’ theme addresses both current realities and future opportunities. By focusing on this theme, the hackathon will generate tangible benefits for our communities, including:
1. Empowering Future Talent & Digital Literacy
2. Boosting Innovation & Startup Growth
3. Strengthening Hong Kong’s Smart Economy Ecosystem and advances Fintech, LawTech, and Smart Tourism through open data innovation.
5. Promoting Inclusive & Sustainable Growth with tech upskilling opportunities for youth and underprivileged groups.
Our Open Data Hackathon has played a significant role in achieving these goals by fostering innovation, providing educational opportunities, and engaging the community. We will continue promoting open data with the integration of cloud computing tools, IoT devices, and data analysis to implement innovative solutions and optimize living conditions.
Continuing this event in 2025 with focus on “Smart Economy” will further support the development of Hong Kong as a smart city and ensure that its residents can fully benefit from the digital transformation. This theme aligns with Hong Kong’s push for digital transformation and innovation-driven growth. Amid global economic challenges, leveraging open data can enhance business efficiency, foster fintech advancements, and drive smart city solutions — key to maintaining HK’s competitiveness. This initiative supports HK’s vision of a dynamic, tech-enabled economy, ensuring resilience and long-term prosperity in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
