Preparing for the Digital Age in an era of rapid technological evolution, understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just an option; it is an essential skill. Responding to this critical need, the AI Ready ASEAN project—implemented by Kampuchean Action to Promote Education (KAPE) in collaboration with the Department of Digital Transformation (DDT) of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, led by the ASEAN Foundation, and funded by Google.org—is actively driving positive change across Cambodia.

The project’s primary mission is to make coding and AI technology simple, fun, and accessible for students, teachers, parents, and communities, aligning with the global "Hour of Code" movement.

Training Activities and Tangible Results Following the successful training of over 100 Master Trainers, the AI Ready ASEAN project extended its reach to four target high schools and online platforms on November 27-28 and 30, 2025, achieving remarkable results. Those four target schools including (1). Prek Krabau High School (Prey Veng): Led by Mr. Khoun Samaun, engaging 150 Grade 10 students (76 females). (2). Sang Ke High School (Battambang): Organized by Mr. Hanh Rattana. (3). Reaksmey Sophorn High School (Kampong Thom): Led by Ms. Chhuon Lika. (4). Royal Crusade High School (Stung Treng): Organized by Ms. Sary Lida, with 60 educators attending in person. Furthermore, Ms. Lida expanded the impact by conducting an online AI training session reaching an additional 107 educators and youths.

The Impact and Value of AI, Beyond Technology, Empowering Potential The training went beyond technical skills, clearly demonstrating how AI can transform lives and work:

• For Education: AI acts as a personalized assistant for students, simplifying complex lessons, providing vast research resources, and sparking creative thinking.
• For Teaching: It assists teachers in rapidly creating lesson plans, developing innovative and engaging teaching methods, and reducing administrative burdens, allowing them to focus more fully on their students.
• For Work and Daily Life: AI literacy prepares individuals for the future job market, boosts productivity, and provides effective solutions for daily challenges.

Voices from Educators, an educator, Mr. Pes Sona, the respective teacher, who attended the training at Preah Reach Bojaniyakich High School in Stung Treng shared a profound insight regarding the training​ that, “The presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the education sector is not here to replace teachers, but rather to serve as an indispensable partner in this new era. AI acts as a key that unlocks creativity when we face mental blocks. For instance, when teaching complex concepts, AI helps us discover explanatory methods and practical examples that make it easiest for students to understand—ideas we might not have conceived on our own. It significantly reduces the time spent on research and lesson preparation, allowing us to dedicate more time to monitoring and supporting our students deeply. Embracing AI is a step towards modern teaching, making education more effective, dynamic, and alive.”

After the AI literacy training completion, Mrs. Thien Dany​ said, "Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves as a bridge, enabling teachers to catch up with the digital age. It has transformed my work from time-consuming manual typing to rapidly creating lesson plans and assessments, making teaching both easier and more modern. What I value most from the 'AI Ready ASEAN' training is learning to use AI for creating educational images and videos. I plan to use this technology to design attractive posters and materials, transforming the classroom atmosphere into something truly engaging for my students. Knowledge should not be kept to oneself. Following this training, I am committed to sharing these AI skills with my students and empowering them to become peer mentors who can pass this knowledge on to others.” She shared her deeply impressions saying that “We must use AI correctly as a tool to support learning, but with high vigilance. It is crucial to verify facts and cross-reference research to avoid misinformation or fall victim to potential scams related to this technology. AI Ready ASEAN has helped me transition from manual work to leveraging technology for creating engaging lesson plans and teaching aids. I will use it responsibly and pass this knowledge on to my students, empowering them to become smart digital citizens."

Moving Forward by understanding the fundamentals of AI, along with ethics, safety, and privacy, all participants are now equipped to use this technology responsibly. This project stands as a testament to the commitment to building Cambodian human resources that are competitive both regionally and globally.