Cambodian Youth Take Stand Against AI Scams and Digital Inequality

A group of fifty Cambodian university students, graduates, and young professionals came together in a one-day workshop to address rising challenges related to artificial intelligence, misinformation, and digital access across the country.

Held on September 29 and organized by the APNIC Foundation and Open Development Cambodia (ODC), the event brought participants together to develop practical solutions to key issues — from helping older and rural communities stay safe online, to supporting students with limited internet access, and promoting responsible AI use on campuses.

Teams explored diverse approaches, all encouraged to think critically about the limitations and risks of their proposals rather than relying solely on technological fixes.

Workshop sessions covered a broad range of topics, including phishing, account takeovers, deepfake detection, and voice or video manipulation techniques used in AI-based scams. Participants also received hands-on training in account protection strategies such as multi-factor authentication and guidance on how to report and respond to security incidents.

Aftab Siddiqui, head of stakeholder relations at the APNIC Foundation, stressed the importance of equipping young people with both the skills to use AI effectively and the judgment to verify its outputs. He emphasized that building resilience means combining AI literacy with human oversight, critical thinking, and verification practices.

ODC executive director Thy Try underscored the growing need for cybersecurity awareness and digital competence among Cambodian youth. He noted that confidence in navigating and shaping emerging technologies is essential — not just for personal safety, but for informed civic participation.

The workshop was part of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity’s Young Professionals and Students programme, with support from the Australian government and technical partnership from the cybersecurity organization ISC².

The day concluded with a networking session connecting participants with representatives from government, academia, the ICT sector, and international development agencies — helping bridge the gap between learning and real-world application.