Background
On 25 March 2026, the Ministry of Health held a seminar titled Artificial Intelligence and Health: Keeping Humans at the Center of Innovation at the University of Health Sciences. Health Minister Professor Chheang Ra presided over the opening ceremony, with participation from senior officials, professors, medical students, and national and international experts.
During the event, the minister outlined the Ministry’s position on the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and medical education. He stated that AI is a powerful tool, but in medicine, humans must set direction, make decisions, and remain accountable for the effects of its use.
Scope of Application
The statements apply to the use of artificial intelligence in the health sector, including clinical practice, medical diagnosis, treatment support, public health functions, disease surveillance, data analysis, and the training of medical students. The discussion also relates to the role of professors and instructors in guiding the appropriate use of technology in health education.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The minister stated that artificial intelligence cannot replace doctors, but it can strengthen analytical capacity, diagnosis, and faster treatment support. He emphasized that medical decisions remain human decisions and must continue to be governed by responsibility and clear ethics.
He also noted that AI can support public health functions, including epidemic monitoring and data analysis. In medical education, he said that training should incorporate new technologies while preserving students’ analytical thinking and individual effort.
The minister further highlighted the role of professors and teachers in supervising and directing students to use these technologies properly. He stated that Cambodia is implementing a technological transformation strategy to support further development in the health sector and that AI should be used to improve healthcare quality and modern training without undermining educational standards.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The ministry’s remarks provide a reference position that AI adoption in healthcare should remain human-centered. Organizations involved in health technology, medical services, training, or digital health solutions should note the emphasis on human oversight, professional responsibility, and ethical decision-making in medical use cases.
The statements also indicate institutional support for the use of digital tools in healthcare and education, provided that these tools are applied as support mechanisms rather than substitutes for human medical judgment.
Official Source
Ministry of Health Facebook post published on 25 March 2026 regarding the seminar Artificial Intelligence and Health: Keeping Humans at the Center of Innovation at the University of Health Sciences.
