Phnom Penh, April 7, 2026 — The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), in collaboration with UN-ESCAP, has launched the report “Artificial Intelligence: Empowering Innovation, Ethics and Inclusion in Cambodia” at a dissemination workshop held at MISTI on Tuesday.

The report, developed through consultations with experts from government ministries-institutions, academia, local and international specialists, and development partners, outlines a strategic framework for AI governance aligned with Cambodia’s national context and international standards. Its main objective is to guide stakeholders in Cambodia’s AI ecosystem toward achieving socio-economic growth grounded in ethics, equity, and inclusion.

Speaking at the event, Minister HEM Vanndy highlighted the transformative impact of AI and the urgency for Cambodia to act swiftly. “Across the globe, AI is reshaping economic structures, driving industrial transformation, and redefining governance,” He said. “AI offers Cambodia a rare opportunity to leapfrog stages of development by accelerating innovations, improving service delivery, bridging development gaps, and strengthening evidence-based policymaking across sectors.”

The Minister also underscored a three-pillar approach—innovation, ethics, and inclusion—emphasizing that “technological development must be human-centered, and ethics is not a constraint on innovation, but the foundation that ensures its legitimacy and sustainability.”

Echoing this perspective, Jonathan Tsuen Yip Wong, Chief of Innovation, Enterprise and Investment at UN-ESCAP,  highlighted both the opportunities and risks of AI, stating that ““Inclusion is also a major concern, with many people—and indeed countries—being left behind as AI scales. Partnership between sectors including government, academia, private sector and development partners will be critical if we are to develop well thought-out and well-rounded policies.”

The workshop brought together experts, government officials, development partners, researchers, and private sector representatives to discuss advancing AI from policy to implementation. Participants emphasized the importance of collaboration in ensuring AI development remains inclusive and responsible, while reaffirming commitment to building an AI ecosystem driven by innovation, guided by ethics, and inclusive for all Cambodians.