AI Impact Summit

Global AI Impact Commons

Automated Khmer Braille Translation System

Cambodia flag

Cambodia

Education

High

Implementing Organisation

Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology

Cambodia, Cambodia, Phnom Penh

Academia

Implementing Point of Contact

Mat Nab

Researcher

Contributor of the Impact Story

Cambodia

Year of implementation

2026

Problem statement

Visually impaired people in Cambodia face significant challenges in accessing written content in the Khmer language due to the lack of automated Braille translation tools. Currently, the production of Khmer Braille materials is limited by reliance on expensive licensed software, frequent display errors, and the high cost of printing. Existing solutions are manual, limited, or unavailable for Khmer script, making literacy and access to information difficult. The Khmer Braille Machine Translation Project was established to address these challenges by developing an automation translation system that can accurately and efficiently translate Khmer text into Braille, promoting education, accessibility, and inclusion.

Impact story details

Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT) is leading research organization in Cambodia comprising three specialized institutes, including the Institute of Digital Research and Innovation (IDRI), which is dedicated to enhancing digital technologies, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and contributing to Cambodia’s digital economy and society. We aim to empower researchers, lectures, students, startups, and public and private sectors with the tools and skills required to thrive in the digital age. Moreover, CADT drives innovation across sectors such as healthcare, education, and smart technologies, combining research, development, and applied solutions to create impactful AI applications that benefit society.

AI Technology Used

Natural Language Processing

Key Outcomes

Inclusion

Equity, Access

Reach, Knowledge

Skills Impact

Narrative Outcome

This system automates the translation of Khmer text into Braille, addressing a significant accessibility gap for visually impaired people in Cambodia. Previously, Khmer Braille translation relied on expensive licensed software prone to display errors. The automated translation tool reduces costs, eliminates manual bottlenecks, and makes written content more accessible to those who have historically been excluded from information access.

Impact Metrics

Implementation Context

Deployed

Cambodia

Visually impaired, special education teachers, braille instructors, and disability support organizations

Key Partnerships

National Institute for Special Education (NISE)

Replicability & Adaptation

High

1. Computers and servers for running AI models 2. Braille printers and related materials 3. Software development tools and libraries 4. Website hosting and Cloud storage 5. AI/ML developers for system improvement 6. Software engineers for website and tool development 7. Language experts (Khmer Braille specialists) 8. Project manager/coordinator 9. Costs for hardware (computers, Braille printers) 10. Hosting, maintenance, printing materials 11. Training and outreach expenses

Supporting Materials

* The data presented is self-reported by the respective organisations. Readers should consult the original sources for further details.