From 5 to 7 December 2024, the third Cambodia ICT Camp was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I had the privilege of joining it as a speaker and facilitator. This vibrant and interactive event, organised by Open Development Cambodia (ODC) and its partners, brought together over 300 participants from across Cambodia, the Mekong region, and beyond. The camp’s mission was clear: to foster discussions on the transformative power of digital technologies and build capacity for participants in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital rights, and more.
Set against the historical backdrop of Angkor, the event featured diverse voices and expertise, creating a dynamic platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and ideas. I was honored to contribute to this important initiative through two sessions. The first session in which I participated, titled "Leveraging IoT and AI-Powered Weather Stations for Climate Resilience", explored the intersection of the internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing climate challenges. With climate change impacting communities, the session aimed to raise awareness about how IoT and AI technologies can support climate resilience. By introducing participants to accessible devices like ESP8266 and DHT22 sensors, we demonstrated how communities can begin experimenting with IoT setups. The discussion also covered existing AI models, such as machine learning-based weather prediction (MLWP), showcasing their ability to analyse weather data for practical applications in disaster management and agriculture.
We delved into the potential of IoT and AI to help communities address challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns and agricultural disruptions. Rather than focusing on immediate implementation, the session emphasised awareness building as a crucial first step toward leveraging these technologies effectively.
Ultimately, this session underscored the importance of digital literacy in climate adaptation. It encouraged communities to take initial steps in understanding and utilising IoT and AI as tools for developing sustainable, locally driven solutions.
In the second session, titled "Building Resilient Community Networks: Lessons from Indonesia", the focus shifted to bridging the digital divide in underserved areas through community-driven approaches to connectivity. Drawing on Indonesia’s experiences, we explored strategies for building inclusive digital ecosystems that empower local communities.
Key takeaways from the session highlighted several critical aspects of building and maintaining sustainable community networks. A strong emphasis was placed on integrating technical capacity, recognising that establishing and sustaining these networks requires not only initial technical knowledge but also ongoing capacity development to adapt to evolving challenges and technologies.
Another key point was the importance of adopting gender-inclusive approaches. Connectivity initiatives must actively address gender disparities to ensure that women and marginalised groups have equitable access to digital resources and opportunities, fostering a more inclusive and empowered community.
The discussion also underscored the role of policy and governance in strengthening community network initiatives. Participants explored how supportive policy frameworks can enable communities to build and sustain connectivity solutions, providing a foundation for long-term resilience and growth.
Through this session, we aimed to inspire participants to adapt these lessons to Cambodia’s unique context, fostering resilient community networks that drive digital inclusion.
I am grateful to have been part of this incredible experience, and I look forward to seeing the impact of the insights and skills shared during these sessions. Let’s continue leveraging technology to build resilient communities and bridge the digital divide, one step at a time.
Akhmat Safrudin is a member of the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA), an APC member organisation, and also works with Indonesia-based Common Room, another APC member. In addition, he is currently the Asia regional capacity-building coordinator for the Local Networks (LocNet) initiative, a joint initiative of APC and Rhizomatica, and attended the camp in this capacity.