Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare in Cambodia: Enhancing Access and Patient Outcomes

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly reshaping healthcare globally and may offer opportunities to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Cambodia. AI-enabled technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, predictive analytics, computer vision, wearable devices, and generative AI, could help address persistent health-system challenges such as shortages and maldistribution of healthcare professionals, limited specialist services, unequal access to care, and constrained resources, particularly in rural and underserved communities. However, translating these technological opportunities into meaningful health benefits requires more than access to AI tools. Cambodia faces important barriers related to digital infrastructure, health-information systems, data quality and availability, workforce capacity, cybersecurity, algorithmic bias, affordability, and regulatory and ethical governance. At the same time, ongoing digital transformation, the expansion of electronic health information systems, emerging AI research capacity, and national efforts toward AI governance provide an evolving foundation for responsible adoption. This perspective examines the current and potential role of AI in Cambodia's healthcare system, focusing on applications in disease diagnosis, clinical decision support, telemedicine, public health surveillance, healthcare administration, and health-system management. Particular attention is given to the gap between technological feasibility and sustainable health-system implementation, including local validation, interoperability, economic evaluation, workforce preparedness, and long-term financing. AI should therefore be introduced through a phased, evidence-based, and patient-centered approach in which technology complements rather than replaces healthcare professionals. Investments in digital infrastructure, human capacity, locally relevant research, ethical governance, and sustainable implementation will be essential to ensure that AI contributes to improved healthcare access, quality, equity, and patient outcomes in Cambodia.