Speakers
Ka Lok Edison Lau
Parallel Workshops
This paper examines the strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the community rehabilitation sector, specifically focusing on its role in supporting Persons in Desistance (PiD). Drawing on the operational experience of SideBySide, a well-regarded non-governmental organization in Hong Kong, the paper proposes a cross-disciplinary model that synthesizes social work values with technological innovation to foster long-term rehabilitation and reintegration.
The paper explores the application of AI through three distinct functional lenses:
Service Application: Analyzing how AI-themed interventions equip PiD with essential digital competencies for modern living. This includes the use of generative tools to develop of future-ready skills that reinforce a prosocial identity and the promotion of family reunion.
Management Application: Exploring the "internal absorption" of AI in streamlining administrative and clinical workflows. The paper discusses how AI may drive case management optimizes resource allocation, allowing practitioners to pivot away from manual documentation and prioritize high-value, human-centric relational work.
Development Application: Investigating the use of AI in advanced data management and service development. This dimension focuses on leveraging data-driven insights to refine service protocols and enhance macro-level decision-making in crime prevention.
The paper incorporates selected case studies and existing practices from SideBySide to demonstrate the practical efficacy of these technologies. It concludes with a critical framework for the ethical and legal governance of AI in the NGO sector. It advocates for a "Human-in-the-Loop" approach—aligned with Hong Kong PCPD data privacy standards—to ensure that technological efficiency never compromises the rights, dignity, or lawful treatment of PiD.
Edison is an enthusiastic professional in the social welfare sector, currently serving as a Senior Manager at SideBySide in Hong Kong. With a career deeply rooted in the helping professions and social work, Edison focuses on advancing community reintegration through the application of desistance theory and the support of marginalized populations, especially "Persons in Desistance" (PiD). He is particularly interested in the areas of social research, data management, and the strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence to modernize NGO operations and enhance offender rehabilitation.
Edison holds a Master of Social Sciences in Criminology, a Master of Social Sciences in Counseling Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) with Honors. Complementing his clinical and academic background, he also earned an Advanced Diploma in Big Data Analytics and Applications to sharpen his capacity for data-driven decision-making and evidence-informed interventions.
In his current role, Edison works to optimize service delivery and resource allocation for marginalized populations. He advocates for a societal shift toward viewing crime as a public health issue, prioritizing systemic prevention. A strong proponent of lifelong learning and agile leadership, Edison is committed to advancing both professional practice and academic discourse to create robust, scalable protocols for community well-being and long-term social impact.
