APNIC Foundation and Open Development Cambodia workshop equips 50 young people with practical skills in responsible AI, cybersecurity and digital safety
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Sept 29, 2026 — Fifty young Cambodians including university students, fresh graduates and early career professionals, took on real-world challenges ranging from AI-generated scams and misinformation to digital exclusion as part of a one-day workshop focused on building practical digital skills for Cambodia’s next generation.
The Digital Skills, Responsible AI and Cybersecurity for Youth Empowerment workshop, held at Baitong Hotel and Resort, Phnom Penh, was co-hosted by the APNIC Foundation and Open Development Cambodia (ODC), with ISC2 as knowledge partner and with support from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, Government of Australia. The training sessions were delivered by Barry O’Callaghan, Direct ISC2 Authorized Instructor.
The workshop was held as part of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Young Professionals and Students program (APTYPS), which aims to strengthen ICT knowledge and skills among young professionals and students across the Asia Pacific.
As Cambodia targets formal graduation from Least Developed Country status by December 2029 and advances towards its longer-term Cambodia Vision 2050, the ability of young people to participate effectively in an increasingly digital economy will become increasingly important. The workshop focused on practical capabilities that participants can apply to their education, employment and everyday digital lives.
Participants explored how artificial intelligence can support learning, research, productivity and career preparation while examining the risks that accompany its use, including inaccurate information, bias, privacy concerns, misinformation and over-reliance on AI-generated content.
Cybersecurity sessions addressed threats that increasingly affect individuals and families directly, including phishing, account takeovers, online scams, unsafe use of public Wi-Fi, deepfakes and AI-generated voice and video scams. Participants also learned practical approaches to account protection, multi-factor authentication, privacy and incident response.
A major part of the workshop moved beyond training into applied problem-solving. Participants worked in teams to develop responses to challenges relevant to Cambodian communities, including helping people identify misinformation in Khmer, supporting older and rural populations to use digital services safely, improving access to learning for students with limited connectivity, encouraging responsible AI use in universities, and helping young people and families recognise AI-enabled scams.
Each team was required to consider not only what technology can do, but also its limitations, potential risks and the human oversight needed to use it responsibly.
“AI literacy now requires more than familiarity with generative tools. Young people need to understand how systems such as large language models produce outputs, where those outputs can fail, and how issues such as bias, misinformation, privacy and over-reliance affect their use. Building that capability means combining effective use of AI with verification, critical evaluation and appropriate human oversight, so that these technologies can be applied responsibly in education, work and wider society,” said Aftab Siddiqui, Head of Stakeholder Relations, APNIC Foundation.
“Investing in the digital, AI, and cybersecurity skills of young Cambodians is one of the most important things we can do to secure their future and the future of the region. As technology continues to transform how we learn, work, and connect, it is vital that our youth are equipped not only to use these tools, but to use them safely, ethically, and with confidence.
“Initiatives like the APTYPS Cambodia Workshop create real opportunities for young people to build practical skills, address the youth skills gap, and improve their employment readiness. I am proud that we can bring together young minds with ICT leaders and stakeholders to learn, collaborate, and grow. By empowering this generation today, we are laying the foundation for a more capable, resilient, and inclusive digital future,” said Barry O’Callaghan, Direct ISC2 Authorized Instructor.
Barry O’Callaghan, Direct ISC2 Authorized Instructor
“Digital skills, responsible AI, and cybersecurity are becoming essential for young people across Cambodia. This workshop, delivered under the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity’s APT Young Professionals and Students Programme (APTYPS), allows participants to learn, ask questions, and connect with others working in ICT across the region.
Young people need the skills to use emerging technologies safely and the confidence to help shape how those technologies are developed and used. At Open Development Cambodia, we are pleased to support an initiative that invests in their knowledge, participation, and future,” said Thy Try, Executive Director, Open Development Cambodia.
“Today’s workshop, Digital Skills, Responsible AI and Cybersecurity for Youth Empowerment, reflects an important priority for the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, ensuring that young people are not only able to participate in our increasingly digital society, but are also equipped to do so confidently, responsibly, and safely,” said Dr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General, Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), in a video message to participants.
The program concluded with an evening networking and recognition session, including a certificate ceremony, connecting participants with representatives from the ICT sector, government, universities, APT, the Australian Embassy, and development organisations. The session was intended to create opportunities for career conversations, mentoring and continued engagement beyond the workshop.
Building digital capability in Cambodia
The workshop builds on the APNIC Foundation’s wider engagement in Cambodia. The Foundation works across 56 economies in the Asia Pacific, supporting the people, infrastructure and technical capabilities needed for an open, stable and secure Internet.
Its work in Cambodia includes:
- Cambodia’s inaugural National Internet Governance Forum: The APNIC Foundation supported Cambodia’s first national Internet Governance Forum in 2025, creating space for dialogue on Internet governance and the country’s digital future.
- Building Capabilities in the Asia Pacific (BCAP): Cambodia is one of the economies participating in BCAP, the Foundation’s regional program providing structured learning pathways and industry-recognised certifications in areas including network operations, cybersecurity, and IT and technical support.
- Caring For Cambodia: Supported through the Foundation’s ISIF Asia Grants program, the project is advancing digital literacy for 7,000 students through STEM, AI and ICT training. It is also training teachers in AI and STEM using hands-on tools and working towards integrating these disciplines into the national curriculum.
- Prayuters Library Program: Supported by the APNIC Foundation, the program works with local learning centres and libraries to expand Wi-Fi access in rural communities alongside digital literacy and online safety training. More than 350 students, educators and community members are developing skills to use the Internet with confidence, supported by Khmer-language learning materials.
The APNIC Foundation’s work in Cambodia reflects a broader approach to digital development: combining access and infrastructure with the skills, knowledge and locally developed solutions needed for people and communities to benefit from the Internet.
About the APNIC Foundation
The APNIC Foundation is the pre-eminent Internet and digital development organisation in the Asia Pacific region. The Foundation is dedicated to a global, open, stable, and secure Internet that is affordable and accessible to all people across the Asia-Pacific.
More information: https://apnic.foundation/
About Open Development Cambodia
Open Development Cambodia (ODC) is a Cambodian non-profit and an ‘open data’ website, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Open Development Cambodia provides the public with up-to-date, accurate information about Cambodia and its economic and social development. Its open data approach guarantees materials and information are available to all users for use and download.
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