Civil servants from Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Asia-Pacific region discussed AI's Potential in the Public Sector.
On December 5-6, 2024, a workshop focused on exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the public sector took place in Phnom Penh (Cambodia). The event brought together over 60 representatives from 12 countries across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Asia-Pacific regions, along with leading experts from the Republic of Korea, UNDP, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Bank.
Over two days, participants examined key aspects of practical AI application in public service. They reviewed the strategic AI deployment and studied successful cases of AI-driven digital government transformation.
Discussions also covered planning for future AI integration, AI-based innovation, and the use of AI and big data for risk and vulnerability assessment. Significant attention was paid to AI standards and ethical considerations. A visit to the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT) provided participants with insights into local initiatives focused on developing digital competencies, skills, and training programmes for civil servants and the public.
Opening the workshop, the Director of the Public Data Policy Division at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea, Hansung Jun, emphasized that AI is evolving into a transformative technology capable of offering preemptive and personalized services to people based on situational judgment and reasoning. However, he also highlighted the importance of addressing ethical risks, security concerns, and the need for international cooperation in developing effective strategies. He also reaffirmed Korea's commitment to continue sharing its valuable expertise in this domain.
The Resident Representative of the UNDP Cambodia, Alissar Chaker, emphasized the importance of international collaboration and the role of AI in digital transformation, noting that AI unlocks unprecedented opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and citizen-centric services and making them accessible to all, especially vulnerable groups.
The Project Manager of the Astana Civil Service Hub, UNDP Kazakhstan, Bakyt Zhexembay, stressed the significance of cooperation and knowledge exchange in the AI field, which will lead to valuable insights and strengthen partnerships between countries. Collaborative efforts can contribute to formulating ways and means for incorporating AI in the public sector for the benefits of citizens and governments.
Cambodia’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, H.E. Vandeth Chea, highlighted the importance of applying AI in the public sector, which not only streamlines processes but also opens new opportunities for making more informed and efficient decisions. He noted that AI usage has the potential for enhancing the quality of public services, enabling governments to respond more quickly to citizens' challenges and needs. The Minister also stressed the significance of international collaboration in successfully integrating AI and other innovative solutions into public administration.
The workshop served as a productive platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing, equipping participants with the the tools to effectively leverage AI for improving public services and governance.
The workshop is part of an inter-regional project, funded by the Republic of Korea and jointly implemented by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), National Information Society Agency (NIA) of the Republic of Korea, UNDP Kazakhstan and the Astana Civil Service Hub (ACSH), aimed at developing the capacity of civil servants to drive digital transformation and governance.
The event was co-hosted by the by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Cambodian Academy of Digital Technologies (CADT), and with support from UNDP Country Office in Cambodia.
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For reference: The workshop is part of a joint regional project by UNDP, the ACSH, MOIS, and NIA aimed at enhancing the capacity of civil servants and practitioners working on advancing digital transformation and public governance from 12 countries: Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan), the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia), and the Asia-Pacific region (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, and the Philippines). Building on the successes of the previous phase of the project, this three-year project (2024–2026) includes workshops, conferences, research, and study visits to the Republic of Korea, focusing on advancing digital transformation and governance.
