Online and mobile marketplace giant Alibaba Group and the Macau SAR Government have announced the signing of an agreement that will help Macau transform itself into a “smart city” via cloud-computing technology.
Under the terms of the four-year partnership, Alibaba will leverage the group’s cloud-computing technologies to collaborate with the Macau government to foster the development of tourism, transportation, healthcare, city governance and talent-nurturing.
“Alibaba Cloud’s big data and deep-learning technologies have been helping to build ‘city brains’ in China to improve well-being in urban living,” said Alibaba Cloud President Simon Hu.
“Leveraging our technological advancement and experience into this tailored project, we are confident that the success of Macau’s digital transformation will serve as an example of a truly smart city in the region.”
The partnership will include two phases, according to Macau Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On. The first phase, running until June 2019, will comprise the construction of a cloud computing data center in Macau as well as the data mapping stage of information managed by the government. During this first phase, the parties will gradually launch projects using a range of big data services in order to accelerate Macau’s development in tourism, the training of information technology professionals, transportation management, medical services and urban management.
The second phase of the agreement covers the period from July 2019 to June 2021. Aside from the ongoing optimization of information technology infrastructure across Macau, the parties will also start projects related to environmental protection, custom clearance procedures and forecasting models for Macau’s economy.
Other cooperation areas featured in the partnership include the development of an integrated system for public services, enhancement of tourism services by applying information technologies to turn Macau into a smart tourism city, building a smart transportation network and launching certificate programmes to train more professionals in B2B e-commerce and Alibaba Cloud information technology.
“After thorough study and research, we have decided to collaborate with Alibaba Group to foster the development of cloud computing and big-data technologies,” said O Lam, Chief of Office for Macau’s Chief Executive. “Leveraging the power of these technologies and connecting resources of different government departments, the project is expected to enhance the model of socioeconomic operation in Macau, expediting the city’s transition into a truly smart city.”
Macau is the latest city to link up with Alibaba on smart city development. Alibaba kicked off its smart city program in October 2016, launching the Hangzhou City Brain based on artificial intelligence and deep learning. That system sends out instant traffic alerts and route suggestions, offering real-time predictions of traffic movement to reduce congestion. The system, piloted in Xiaoshan District, has improved traffic speed by up to 11%.
