សេវាកម្មការស្រាវជ្រាវ និងនវានុវត្តន៍កាលិកបត្រស្រាវជ្រាវការបោះពុម្ពផ្សាយ

AI Tool Adoption and Its Impact on Perceived Learning Outcomes Among University Students in Cambodia

Sopheaktra Huy

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phinavuth Chhay

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Sokroeurn Ang

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Mony Ho

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Piseth Soeng

ACLEDA University of Business, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ISSN: 3078-3771 (Print)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71215/ars.202651

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Higher Education, Learning Outcomes, Technology Adoption, University Students, Cambodia

Published: 2026-05-22

How to Cite in APA Style: Huy.S., Chhay.P., Ang.S., Ho.M., & Soeng.P. (2026). AI tool adoption and its impact on perceived learning outcomes among university students in Cambodia. AUB Research Series, 2026 (5), 1–27.

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Abstract

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has transformed higher education by enabling students to use intelligent tools that support academic learning. In Cambodia, university students increasingly use AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot; however, empirical evidence regarding their impact on learning remains limited. This study examines the level of AI tool adoption and its relationship with perceived learning outcomes. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 301 university students across Cambodia. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression were employed for data analysis. The results indicate a moderate level of AI tool adoption (M = 3.46, SD = 0.90) and moderately positive perceived learning outcomes (M = 3.50, SD = 0.85). A strong positive relationship was found between AI tool adoption and perceived learning outcomes (r = 0.771, p < 0.001). Regression analysis shows that AI tool adoption significantly predicts perceived learning outcomes (R² = 0.595). These findings suggest that AI tools can serve as effective learning support tools when used appropriately. The study provides empirical evidence for guiding AI integration in Cambodian higher education.

Authors' Biography

Sopheaktra Huy is a Ph.D. candidate in Cybersecurity at Lincoln University College, Malaysia. He holds a Master of Science in Information Technology from the Royal University of Phnom Penh and a Master of Business Administration from Asia Euro University, Cambodia. He has been serving as a part-time lecturer at several universities in Cambodia for more than 15 years, contributing to teaching and academic development in the field of information technology. In addition to his academic engagement, he has extensive professional experience in information technology governance, cybersecurity, and technology risk management within the financial sector. His professional expertise includes information systems auditing, cyber risk assessment, and the implementation of technology control frameworks in digital environments. His research interests include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence applications, IT automation, and technology risk management.

Phinavuth Chhay is the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at ACLEDA University of Business (AUB). He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from SETEC Institute (2022) and a Master’s Degree in Finance and Banking from Build Bright University (2007). He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the Royal University of Phnom Penh in 2003. He has extensive professional experience in banking and information technology, having worked at ACLEDA Bank Plc. for many years before joining AUB. His expertise includes IT management, digital systems, and technology education.

Sokroeurn Ang is an IT lecturer at ACLEDA University of Business (AUB). He has over 15 years of experience working and teaching in the fields of IT, cybersecurity, and cloud security, holding various technical and leadership roles. His professional background spans central banking, private banking, and internet service providers, where he has played a key role in strengthening cybersecurity. He has been actively engaged in critical domains such as IT governance, cybersecurity risk assessment, network security, web application security, cloud security, vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT), business continuity planning (BCP), disaster recovery planning (DRP), cybersecurity incident response, and IT auditing. He successfully completed a MicroMasters program in Cybersecurity at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), USA, and earned a master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Cybersecurity at Lincoln University College, Malaysia. He holds multiple professional certifications, including CISSP, CISA, CISM, CC, ECSA, CEH, CCNA Security, CCNA, CyberOps, and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. In addition, he is a certified Cisco Instructor and AWS Academy Instructor.

Mony Ho is a Ph.D. candidate in Information Technology at Lincoln University College, Malaysia. He holds a Master’s degree in IT and Data Science from the European International University, France. He is currently a senior technical teacher at Preah Kossomak Polytechnic Institute and lectures part-time at multiple universities in Cambodia. His teaching and research interests include Data Science, Big Data, software engineering, and cloud technologies.

Piseth Soeng is the Head of the Department of Financial Technology (Fintech) at the Faculty of Science and Technology, ACLEDA University of Business (AUB). He earned a Bachelor's degree in Science, specializing in Computer Science, in 2009, and a Master's degree in Information Technology in 2020. In late 2013, he joined ACLEDA Bank Plc. as part of the IT Branch, providing support and resolving technical issues across all ACLEDA branches in Cambodia for six years. In late 2018, he moved to the ACLEDA Institute of Business (AIB) as an IT Manager. He was promoted to Assistant Head of the Department of Science & Technology in late 2019, and to Head of the Department of Financial Technology (Fintech) in early 2024, a position he has held since.

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The authors are solely responsible for the content of this article. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the journal, its editors, or the publisher.

AI Use Declaration

The authors declare that artificial intelligence (AI) tools were used only to assist in language editing, grammar improvement, and clarity of writing. All research design, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of results were conducted by the authors. The authors take full responsibility for the originality and integrity of the content presented in this study.