Cambodia Expands High-Tech and AI Strategy with WAICO
On July 16, Cambodia joined the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as a founding member, pledging to accelerate its technological transformation through greater investment in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automation, and digital infrastructure while strengthening ethical AI governance. The signing took place during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, where Prime Minister Hun Manet joined global leaders and experts and underscored Cambodia's determination to position itself for the digital era. In his remarks, PM Hun Manet emphasized that AI must deliver tangible, localized benefits by strengthening digital infrastructure, supporting the development of specialized human capital and innovation ecosystems, and creating new opportunities for economic growth.
The PM’s remarks reflect a broader push to advance Cambodia's digital transformation, supported by growing engagement from both international and domestic stakeholders. In June, the European Tech Business Delegation to Cambodia brought together European firms, policymakers, and local businesses to explore opportunities in AI and digital technologies, highlighting rising foreign interest in the country's technology sector. During the same month, telecommunications provider Smart Axiata convened business leaders to discuss the role of AI and automation in improving productivity and competitiveness, alongside plans for nationwide 5G deployment, expanded digital government services, and new data centers—all under the country's emerging AI strategy. Collectively, these developments point to a wider effort to attract technology investment and strengthen Cambodia's digital capabilities.
This focus on building a more innovation-driven economy represents a strategic departure from Cambodia's traditional reliance on garment manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture. Through investments in technological upgrading and digital innovation, Phnom Penh aims to enhance long-term competitiveness by supporting the country's transition toward higher-value production and a more skilled workforce. These ambitions are reflected in plans to establish Cambodia's first AI laboratory and the government's efforts to attract private-sector partners for the development of large-scale data centers. Thus, as Cambodiaactively courts investment in advanced technologies, the transition also creates opportunities for foreign companies to pilot and scale AI-enabled operations within the country's expanding digital ecosystem.
