PHNOM PENH— Driven by a burgeoning passion for the cutting edge of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, Oeng Meily, a 24-year-old from Siem Reap province, is embarking on a journey to become an AI engineer. Her goal is to develop advanced algorithms and models that tackle real-world problems.

Meily believes AI is key to Cambodia’s digital transformation, and that a strong AI knowledge base is crucial for Cambodians to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.  This conviction fueled her pursuit of a master's degree scholarship in AI in Europe.

But her path hasn't been without its challenges.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Information Technology Engineering from the Royal University of Phnom Penh in 2022, Meily worked as a Machine Learning Engineer at the Digital Government Committee (DGC).

“While working at DGC, I applied to multiple scholarship programs, 18 in total. My persistence paid off,” she revealed.

Indeed, her dedication shone through. In 2023, she was selected as a Czech Government Scholarship recipient and received an Australia Awards Cambodia Intake 2025 offer. 

Currently, she's immersed in a two-year master’s program in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, a collaborative effort between the University of South Bohemia in the Czech Republic and the Deggendorf Institute of Technology in Germany.

Meily sees AI as a transformative force, poised to reshape industries from healthcare and education to finance and entertainment.  However, her heart lies in applying AI to healthcare, empowering doctors with more accurate and efficient diagnostic tools.

“AI has the potential to analyze vast amounts of medical data, identify patterns, and predict abnormalities in human health. It enables earlier detection and treatment of diseases,” she explained.

Oeng Meily, is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at the University of South Bohemia in the Czech Republic and the Deggendorf Institute of Technology in Germany. Photo provided.

Like many undergraduates, Meily faced uncertainty about her career trajectory after graduation.  But then, the COVID-19 pandemic brought an unexpected catalyst: a YouTube documentary called ‘The Age of AI’.

“It was fascinating to see how AI could solve complex problems and improve people’s lives. That documentary sparked my determination to dive deeper into this field, with the hope of applying AI to address challenges in my community and beyond,” she said.

This spark ignited a passion that now fuels her pursuit of a future in AI.

Challenges in Learning AI

Navigating the complex world of AI hasn't been without its hurdles for Meily.  The sheer breadth of the field, with its intricate theories and diverse subfields, presented a significant challenge.  Her approach is a strong focus on the fundamentals: mathematics, statistics, and core machine learning concepts.

“Some concepts, like backpropagation or optimization techniques, can be hard to grasp just by reading,” Meily admits. “To overcome this, I combined theory with practice—implementing AI models, experimenting with datasets, and analyzing results helped me learn faster.”  This hands-on approach proved invaluable.

The breakneck pace of AI development also keeps Meily on her toes.  New research papers, models, and techniques emerge constantly, making it a challenge to stay current.  However, she points out the wealth of free online learning resources available that enables students to keep pace with the latest advancements.

Ultimately, Meily believes that success in AI hinges less on innate ability and more on unwavering determination and passion.  It's this drive that fuels her journey and empowers her to tackle the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

AI-Driven Tools and Large Language Model for Cambodian Languages

Meily's ambitions are focused on bridging a critical gap: enhancing the accessibility of the Khmer language in the digital world.  Her vision includes developing AI-driven tools, notably a large language model specifically for Cambodian languages, designed to streamline administrative processes.

She recognizes the current limitations in Khmer Natural Language Processing (NLP) resources as a major obstacle, hindering not only the development of useful AI applications for Cambodian users but also impeding the nation's broader digital transformation.

“My goal is to build solutions like a large language model for Cambodian languages, along with improved speech recognition, machine translation, and text analysis tools," Meily explained.

These tools, she believes, have the potential to revolutionize administrative work by automating document processing, translations, and even creating digital assistants.  The result, she pointed out, is significant reduction in manual workloads for both government offices and businesses, paving the way for greater efficiency and modernization.

AI and Data Science Profession in the Job Market

Meily sees that the job market for AI data science professionals is improving, with many companies now hiring AI engineers and data scientists. Additionally, there are increasing internship opportunities for entry-level engineers, providing a great chance for beginners to build skills and gain experience.

“However, I believe the job market will remain a challenge for me in the future. As AI grows in popularity, more students and professionals are entering the field, increasing competition for roles like AI engineers or data scientists,” she said.

She encourages students to overcome these challenges by continuously advancing their skills, such as completing a master’s degree and staying updated with AI trends and tools. Working on practical side projects can also help build a strong portfolio that demonstrates their ability to solve real-world problems.

For Meily, connecting with fellow AI enthusiasts and mentors is essential for sparking new ideas and uncovering exciting opportunities.  She's a strong advocate for the field, saying, “I highly recommend this major to future students. AI is becoming increasingly important across industries, and learning it opens many doors. Whether in technology, business, or solving societal challenges, AI is a powerful tool with limitless possibilities.”

She believes it's the perfect fit for students who thrive on problem-solving, have a passion for technology, and are driven to make a real difference.  Simply put, she sees AI as an exceptional field ripe for exploration.

Meily also champions the idea of Cambodian students pursuing education abroad, particularly in rapidly evolving fields like AI. She highlights the invaluable access to cutting-edge resources, modern technology, and expert professors that studying in advanced countries provides.

“It also exposes students to diverse perspectives and new learning environments, helping them build critical thinking and adaptability,” she emphasized.  Meily believes that bringing this newfound knowledge and experience back to Cambodia is crucial for contributing to the nation’s development in this dynamic field.