Phnom Penh: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) have launched the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) titled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI.” The event took place in the Cambodian capital on June 19.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the report highlights a concerning global trend, with human development progress slowing at an unprecedented rate. Despite expectations of a strong recovery following the crises of 2020-2021, the report indicates only marginal gains. Excluding those years of crisis, the projected global increase in human development for 2024 is the smallest since 1990. The Human Development Index (HDI), which measures health, education, and income achievements, shows stalled progress across all regions. The widening gap between high and low-income countries emphasizes the urgent need for decisive action to break the cycle of stagnation.
In Cambodia, the 2023 HDI value stands at 0.606, a slight increase from 0.602 in 2022, placing the country in the Medium Human Development category and ranking it 151 out of 193 countries and territories. Since 1990, Cambodia has made progress: life expectancy has increased by 15.46 years, expected years of schooling by 4.31 years, and mean years of schooling by 2.38 years. The Gross National Income (GNI) per capita has surged by approximately 307.7 percent. However, challenges remain in tackling inequalities, as the inequality-adjusted HDI is 26.7% lower.
“At UNDP, we believe development is a matter of choice. It is a choice to put people’s needs and capabilities first, shape technology for inclusion, and ground innovation in the public good. The potential depends on access to Artificial Intelligence (AI) but mostly on how societies deploy it,” said Ms. Alissar Chaker, Resident Representative of UNDP Cambodia. “As AI rapidly evolves and penetrates our daily lives, we must explore its potential to drive sustainable development in Cambodia. While it is not the panacea, today’s choices can precondition the future of development and pre-determine available growth pathways for the Cambodian people.”
The launch event brought together senior government officials, development experts, private sector leaders, and civil society representatives to reflect on the report’s findings and explore how AI can advance human development in Cambodia.
“At MPTC, we believe that AI must be a tool for empowerment-not exclusion. It must serve people, not just platforms. It must complement-not replace-human capabilities. That is why we are taking deliberate steps to put in place the strategies, safeguards, and skills necessary to guide Cambodia through this transition-one that is digital, inclusive, and human-centered,” said H.E. CHEA Vandeth, Minister of MPTC. “Cambodia is one of the few LDCs taking active steps to formulate a comprehensive National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. This strategy aims to provide a structured and people-centred approach to harness AI for inclusive economic growth, responsive governance, and long-term human development.”
The report also presents findings from a new global survey, which reveals a cautiously optimistic outlook on AI. While half of the respondents believe their jobs could be automated, 60 percent expect AI to positively impact employment, creating new opportunities. Only 13 percent fear job losses. In low-and medium-HDI countries like Cambodia, 70 percent anticipate increased productivity from AI, and two-thirds expect to use AI in education, health, or work within the next year.
The report advocates for a human-centred approach to AI, emphasising three key areas for action: 1. Fostering collaboration between people and AI, rather than competition; 2. Embedding human agency throughout the AI lifecycle-from design to deployment; and 3. Modernising education and health systems to meet 21st-century needs.
The democratisation of AI is already underway, and UNDP remains committed to supporting it within a proper framework encompassing skills, infrastructure, and ethical safeguards to ensure AI works for all.