In an era of rapid technological advancement, ensuring that no one is left behind is a critical mission. In December 2025, three Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) based in Kratie, Tbaung Khmum, and Battambang provinces collaborated to organize a vital training course on "Media, Information and Digital Literacy (MIDL) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)." This training was specifically tailored for persons with disabilities, self-help groups, women, and girls within their communities, benefiting a total of 128 participants (56 women), including 48 persons with disabilities (20 women).

 

The core objective of this training was to go beyond basic technology usage; it aimed to transform mindsets and build the capacity of participants to use digital tools ethically, safely, and responsibly in their daily lives. The curriculum was meticulously designed to cover key topics, including:

• Understanding the information ecosystem (misinformation and disinformation).
• Building digital identity and protecting online reputation.
• The values of digital citizenship and social engagement.
• Fundamentals of AI: How AI is created, understanding bias and fairness, and utilizing AI with ethics, efficiency, and responsibility.

 

This training transformed participants from passive technology users into Smart Digital Citizens equipped with the ability to analyze information and protect themselves in the digital sphere:

1. Critical Information Analysis: Participants can now clearly distinguish between the 7 types of misinformation: fabricated content, manipulated content, imposter content, false context, misleading content, satire/parody, and clickbait. This knowledge acts as a "vaccine" against the spread of social pollution.

2. Fact-Checking Skills: Equipped with fact-checking tools, participants can now verify information, maintaining the integrity of their voices as sources of accurate information within their communities.

3. Cybersecurity Awareness: They gained practical knowledge on protecting account security, such as creating strong passwords and identifying online scams (Phishing) that often target vulnerable users.

4. Rights & Responsibilities: Participants developed a clear understanding of their digital rights and obligations, emphasizing respectful communication and the protection of others' privacy—the foundation of good digital citizenship.

5. AI for Productivity: Participants engaged in hands-on practice with leading AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, DeepSeek, and Grok. They learned to use AI as an assistant for data analysis and complex problem-solving, while upholding the principle that "final decisions must be based on human critical thinking."

 

The impact of the training is best reflected through the positive shifts in the participants' perspectives. Ms. Chan Sokha, a visually impaired participant from Sre Sdav 1 village, shared with excitement that “Learning about digital citizenship made me happy and helped me understand clearly what it means to be a digital citizen. I felt truly empowered to express my opinions and participate fully throughout this training course.”

 

Mr. Lai Cheng, Chief of Kapo village, noted the broader community benefits that “Participating in this training has helped our community members learn how to shield themselves from deception, misinformation, and disinformation. Meanwhile, understanding AI tools has made our daily work easier and more efficient through better awareness.”

 

This training is part of the DMIL project, funded by UNESCO and implemented by Kampuchean Action for Primary Education (KAPE). It represents a steadfast commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering vulnerable groups—particularly persons with disabilities, women, and girls.

 

Equipping these communities with responsible AI and digital literacy skills does not merely ensure their safety in the digital world; it provides the Power of Knowledge to contribute to society with equity, transparency, and dignity, ensuring that no one is left behind in this fast-paced technological age.