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Technology experts at the Phnom Penh Internet Forum 2025 called for stronger ethical standards in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), warning that the technology has increasingly been misused to violate human rights — including cases of sexual harassment and psychological harm.
The annual forum, organized by the Digital Rights Working Group (DRWG), was held under the theme “Together, let’s promote Cambodia’s digital future with inclusivity and a foundation of respect for human rights.” It aimed to raise awareness about legal frameworks related to AI and cybercrime, promote digital rights and internet freedom, and create a platform for stakeholders to engage in policy discussions.
This year’s event brought together 256 participants, including youth, diplomats, civil society representatives, and indigenous groups.
During a panel discussion on AI use and management, Nget Moses, an independent digital rights researcher, said that as technology advances, AI has become more powerful and plays a key role in simplifying work, but also poses serious risks to privacy and freedom.
“It has good and bad points. The bad point is that AI can be used to deceive. If AI is used without ethics, it can affect our freedom,” he said.
Moses pointed to the misuse of Photoshop and AI-generated to create fake nude photos of women, stressing that such abuses stem from a lack of AI ethics and legal accountability.
“When we talk about digital rights, we talk about privacy, we talk about censorship and freedom of expression. All of these are our rights that are the basis of the AI ethics. If we want AI to develop in the long term, those rights are very important,” he added.
Heang Omouy, CEO of Asia Digital Technology Innovation (ADITI), agreed that while AI brings progress, it also raises ethical challenges.
“In AI governance, the focus is on how AI users, AI creators, AI researchers work together to ensure that the AI they use, research and create, does not harm others, not only now but in the future,” she said. The unethical use of AI and technology—such as spreading misinformation—can cause anxiety and shock, leading to psychological harm that affects not only individuals but also families and the broader economy.
Cambodia does not have a law on AI, Omouy noted, but ASEAN has adopted a regional AI Governance Framework as a guideline for ethical use. She said this framework provides a foundation for understanding and applying AI responsibly.
“Ethics is part of AI governance, which must include the proper use and storage of private data, the creation of AI and the use of AI in an inclusive manner, sustainable use, and the promotion and education of AI use,” she said.
Gidon Windecker, a representative from the German Embassy in Cambodia, emphasized that as Cambodia moves forward with its digital transformation, it must ensure that technological progress remains inclusive and grounded in human rights.
“Privacy and security concerns require a stronger legal framework,” he said. “To address these challenges, both technical and human rights advocates must work together to ensure that this revolutionary program delivers shared economic and social benefits to the people of the country and protects the rights of citizens.”
He cited Cambodia’s Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021–2035, which envisions inclusive economic growth and social welfare driven by digital transformation, though he noted challenges such as limited digital literacy and connectivity.
Early this year, Prime Minister Hun Manet urged the rapid progress of the draft cybersecurity law and related digital policies, stressing the need to harness AI, big data, and emerging technologies to drive digital transformation.
