Record STMT-W3E3DD2Soft law

Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Report Cambodia

Report International lawSouth-eastern Asia · KHadopted

This Readiness Assessment Report evaluates Cambodia's institutional, legal, social, educational, and technical preparedness for adopting artificial intelligence ethically and responsibly in alignment with UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. It diagnoses existing gaps across policy dimensions, highlights local innovations like Khmer translation and text-to-speech tools, and provides actionable recommendations to establish a national AI strategy, multistakeholder governance, and ethical frameworks. The assessment was conducted collaboratively by the Cambodian Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology, and UNESCO.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

UNESCOIntergovernmental

Lead issuer

Ministry of Post and Telecommunications of CambodiaGovernment · KH

Co-issuer

Legal forceSoft law

Under whose authorityInternational law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

National governmentRegulatorsPublic sector bodiesResearchers and academicsInternational community

Policymakers, government officials, researchers, and international stakeholders seeking to understand and guide Cambodia's ethical AI governance and digital transformation roadmap.

Sectors

Cross-sectorPublic administrationResearch and science

What the document contains

What's covered

The document addresses Cambodia's national readiness across legal, regulatory, social, cultural, scientific, educational, economic, and technical dimensions regarding artificial intelligence. It details current government initiatives, legislative drafts on data protection and cybersecurity, digital skills programs, publishing metrics, infrastructure capabilities, and implementation lessons.

What's missing

The report lacks granular local data on private sector R&D expenditure in AI, comprehensive domestic labour market impacts regarding AI automation, and legally binding enforcement mechanisms or specific liability regimes for AI-induced harms.

Key takeaways

Cambodia has formally endorsed UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and implemented the Readiness Assessment Methodology to shape its national AI strategy.
While foundational digital and e-government policies exist, Cambodia currently lacks a finalised national AI strategy and specific laws governing AI procurement and public sector transparency.
Significant progress is visible in public sector digital skills training through the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology, alongside regional cooperation within ASEAN AI governance frameworks.
Key infrastructural and statistical gaps remain, including limited advanced computing power, low R&D expenditures, and disparities in internet connectivity between urban and rural areas.
The report outlines strategic recommendations spanning five areas: institutional governance, regulatory adaptation, responsible AI and inclusion, infrastructure and data, and research ecosystems.

Principles it states

Protection and promotion of human rights, human dignity, and environmental sustainabilityFairness, non-discrimination, and social justiceTransparency, accountability, and explainabilityMulti-stakeholder and adaptive governance and collaboration

Outline

· Acknowledgements
· Acronyms and Abbreviations
· Foreword - UNESCO
· Foreword - MPTC
· Executive Summary
· Diagnosis of the National Situation Regarding Artificial Intelligence
· Legal and Regulatory
· Social and Cultural
· Scientific and Educational
· Economic
· Technical and Infrastructural
· RAM Implementation and Multistakeholder Consultation
· Main Policy Recommendations
· References
· Laws and Regulations

Issued2025

Length22,034 words · 66 pages

FormatNot recorded

Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Fairness

4/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

A key principle in the Recommendation is Fairness and non-discrimination, which requires AI actors to promote social justice without discrimination.

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND EQUITY

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

4/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

The Recommendation is based on the protection and promotion of human rights, human dignity, and environmental sustainability

FOREWORD - UNESCO

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

2/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

Define the role of human oversight in AI-driven healthcare decisions and establish clear pathways for patient refusal

MAIN POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

screening score · 2026-10-24

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

The MPTC is developing Cambodia’s Draft Law on Personal Data Protection. This regulation is being drafted following the EU General Data Protection Regulation

DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY LAWS

screening score · 2026-10-24

Transparency

3/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

It also enforces transparency measures, requiring that individuals be informed about the basis and purpose of any data processing.

DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY LAWS

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

1/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

The law outlines enforcement mechanisms, including the qualification of data protection officers, inspection protocols

DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY LAWS

screening score · 2026-10-24

Impact Assessment

4/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

It requires a data protection impact assessment when processing activities pose high risks to individuals’ rights

DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY LAWS

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

ai_readiness ethics digital_government capacity_building policy_recommendations