TL;DR:
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasizes the potential of AI technology for Sri Lanka’s development.
- He instructs officials to form a task force and prepare a concept paper to promote AI usage in various fields.
- The current annual contribution of computer and information technology to Sri Lanka’s gross national income is USD 1.9 billion, with no known amount from AI technology.
- Officials are directed to develop a system to track AI contributions and increase its contribution to the gross domestic product.
- The President calls for discussions to seek opinions and identify the advantages and disadvantages of investing in AI.
- One billion rupees will be allocated for AI technology next year.
- Sri Lanka aims to produce at least 10,000 engineers to meet the demands of the digital age.
- The President highlights the importance of improving university research departments for AI development.
- Discussions focus on infrastructure development, research activities, and future steps for the advancement of AI in Sri Lanka.
- Representatives from various organizations and experts participate in the discussion.
Main AI News:
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has recognized the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the country’s development. During a recent discussion at the President’s Office, he emphasized the need to form a presidential task force comprising AI experts and prepare a concept paper to promote AI usage in various fields, including agriculture, education, health, fisheries, and industry.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the current annual contribution of computer and information technology to Sri Lanka’s gross national income is around USD 1.9 billion, with no known amount from AI technology. The President has instructed officials to develop a system to track AI contributions and increase its contribution to the gross domestic product in the coming years.
The President also stressed the importance of the private sector’s involvement in this initiative. He allocated one billion rupees for AI technology next year and called for discussions to seek opinions on how to proceed with this program, kick-start the programs, and identify the advantages and disadvantages of investing in AI.
To create a digital economy, Sri Lanka needs to produce more engineers. The President suggested that the country should aim to produce at least 10,000 engineers to meet the demands of the digital age. He also mentioned Singapore and India as role models in AI development and emphasized the importance of improving university research departments to achieve this goal.
During the discussion, the participants focused on the development of infrastructure necessary for related research activities and the latest trends in the field. Scholars who attended the discussion also expressed their views on future steps that need to be taken for the advancement of the field. Representatives from the Sri Lanka Artificial Intelligence Association, universities, national innovation institutes, and experts in the field of information technology also participated in the discussion.
The integration of AI technology into the wider model of digitization in Sri Lanka is crucial for the country’s economic reforms. With the government’s plans in place and the private sector’s involvement, Sri Lanka can pave the way toward becoming a leader in AI technology in the region.
Conlcusion:
The Sri Lankan government’s focus on harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology signifies a significant opportunity for the market. By forming a task force, allocating resources, and seeking input from various stakeholders, Sri Lanka is positioning itself to become a key player in the AI sector. The integration of AI technology into multiple industries, such as agriculture, education, health, fisheries, and industry, opens up new avenues for innovation, efficiency, and economic growth.
With an emphasis on increasing AI’s contribution to the gross domestic product and the private sector’s involvement, the market can expect to witness advancements in research, infrastructure development, and the production of skilled engineers. This concerted effort paves the way for Sri Lanka to establish itself as a regional leader in AI technology, attracting investment, fostering technological advancements, and driving the growth of a dynamic digital economy.
