PHNOM PENH – Cambodia has improved its standing in a government artificial intelligence (AI) readiness index, with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications announcing on January 16 that the nation has risen to 118th place out of 195 countries. This marks a significant leap of 27 positions from its previous ranking of 145th in 2024, reflecting the government’s concerted efforts to integrate AI as a fundamental component of national development.
The Ministry’s statement highlighted that Cambodia scored 33.5 on the Government AI Readiness Index report published by Oxford Insights. In comparison, China topped the East Asia region with a score of 75.4. The upward trajectory in Cambodia’s ranking underscores the nation’s commitment to leveraging AI as a strategic asset for fostering innovation and enhancing skills development.
The ministry emphasized that this improvement indicates Cambodia’s dedication to developing digital infrastructure and establishing robust policies and legal frameworks. This includes fostering a culture of innovation and supporting new business ventures while promoting the responsible use of AI technologies. These efforts are poised to create a conducive environment for AI growth and application across various sectors.
Over the past two years, Cambodia has achieved notable milestones in AI development. The establishment of the National Research Center for Artificial Intelligence in Education, the publication of a report assessing the ethical readiness of AI, and the roadmap for digital skills development for 2024-2035 exemplify these advancements. Furthermore, the country is in the process of drafting the National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, alongside legislation focused on personal data protection and cybersecurity.
In practical terms, several AI-driven applications have emerged from these initiatives. These include the verification platform “verify.gov.kh,” the translation application TranslateKH, and the Sarika application, which supports Khmer Braille machine translation. Other notable projects include the Khmer ASR application and Khmer Fastype, as well as the Cambodian Artificial Intelligence Platform.
The ministry expressed optimism that Cambodia will achieve even higher rankings in the future, particularly with the anticipated launch of the National Data Center and the Khmer LLM. The statement called for all stakeholders in the AI ecosystem to collaborate with the government in these ongoing efforts, aiming to further accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
This progression in Cambodia’s AI readiness highlights not only the importance of technology in national development but also signals a broader commitment to harnessing digital advancements for economic growth and innovation. As the nation moves forward, its focus on AI may well shape the landscape of its digital economy, fostering an environment that encourages research, development, and the ethical application of technology.
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