Cambodia: The Story Behind the Website

Rean AI

By: Marxse Mendoza & Yom Chura

Rean AI´s official Logo

Phnom Penh — Rean AI, an innovative application created by Lay Kiry, harnesses OpenAI’s technology to build an AI system capable of processing over 60 natural language algorithms, including Khmer.

Lay Kiry, born in 1980 in Cambodia, grew up during a period of recovery following the devastation of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Lay Kiry giving a speech. Source: Facebook

Reflecting on this experience, Lay Kiry shared, “In 1995, I learned how to use the internet through a Japanese course. After completing the course, I received a certificate that changed my life. A Singaporean company, SilkRoad, was looking for people with computer and internet skills, and that gave me the chance to work with them. I took the opportunity and sent in my CV and certificate. I was one of the three lucky candidates they selected.”

Lay Kiry’s academic journey continued with a Ph.D. from Singapore Management University and a Master’s in Management Information Systems from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in Vietnam.

Screenshot of the application.

The idea for Rean AI began in 2007 when Lay Kiry began researching and seeking potential partners and collaborators for his vision. Official development of the app began in 2020. Initially launched as a web-based platform, the development team worked tirelessly to improve the app, refining its performance through consistent updates and training.

In the early stages, the lack of available Khmer language data posed a challenge in training the AI. To overcome this, OpenAI’s resources were utilized to assist in the app’s development. With OpenAI’s support, Rean AI was able to leverage existing data, continuously learning and evolving with daily updates.

Lay Kiry and his team having a booth in an event at Chip Mong 271 Mega Mall. Source: Facebook

On March 27, 2023, Rean AI was officially launched on Google Play and the App Store by CloudNet Co., LTD, a Cambodian company specializing in tailored services for industries such as professional services, software development, and e-commerce. The app was released globally, offering free access to anyone who wanted to experience the next generation of AI technology.

A Year 6 student from International University (IU), Ya Nuth, shared, “Exploring and researching the rise of Artificial Intelligence with Rean AI has been an eye-opening experience. I’ve learned about AI’s development in Cambodia and realized how much progress we’ve made over the years.”

To this day, Rean AI continues to evolve, using data from user interactions and OpenAI resources to improve and generate its own data, ensuring its capabilities grow with each passing day.