Sri Lanka’s National Strategy on AI

July 2024

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Strategies and Action Plans

AI Sri Lanka 2028

The strategy outlined in Sri Lanka’s National AI Strategy revolves around accelerating the adoption and responsible development of AI to establish a digitally empowered society, drive economic growth, and achieve sustainability goals. Here is a detailed breakdown of the key elements:

Vision

Sri Lanka aims to rapidly adopt and develop AI to become a regional hub for AI development, testing, and scaling solutions that impact various sectors. The strategy aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Digital Strategy 2030.

Strategic objectives

  1. Rapid value realisation:
    • Quick-win projects in areas like healthcare, education, and public services.
    • Demonstrating immediate benefits to build trust in AI technologies.
  2. Sustained capability development:
    • Long-term investments in skills, infrastructure, data management, and ecosystem development.
    • Creating strong foundations for innovation and adoption.

Core principles

  1. Inclusivity and responsibility: Ensuring equitable distribution of AI benefits across society while adhering to ethical standards.
  2. Transparency and trust: Maintaining robust ethical frameworks and safeguarding privacy.
  3. Human-centricity: Developing AI systems that enhance rather than replace human capabilities.
  4. Impact-oriented focus: Implementing practical, scalable solutions tailored to Sri Lanka’s unique needs.
  5. Global collaboration: Partnering with international entities and adopting global best practices.
  6. Sustainability: Prioritising environmentally sustainable AI development.

Key areas of focus

  1. Data infrastructure:
    • Developing a comprehensive data strategy to enhance data availability, governance, and ethical use.
    • Promoting data sharing through platforms like the National Data Exchange and revitalising open data initiatives.
  2. Skills development:
    • Building AI expertise across four levels: practitioners, decision-makers, specialists, and citizens.
    • Introducing AI into formal education and professional training.
  3. Infrastructure development:
    • Expanding secure and scalable digital infrastructure, including high-speed connectivity and green cloud computing.
    • Establishing a national AI cloud platform for researchers, startups, and public use.
  4. Public awareness:
    • Raising AI literacy among citizens and fostering trust through targeted campaigns.
  5. Research and development:
    • Encouraging AI innovation through strategic funding and academia-industry-government collaborations.

Governance framework

  1. Establishing a National Centre for AI (NCAI) to oversee strategy implementation.
  2. Creating a Responsible AI Advisory Council to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines.
  3. Incrementally developing governance policies that align with international standards like UNESCO’s AI Ethics Recommendations.

Implementation phases

  1. Short-term (Year 1):
    • Pilot projects and public awareness campaigns.
    • Developing foundational frameworks for AI governance and data management.
  2. Medium-term (Years 2-3):
  3. Long-term (Year 4 onward):
    • Positioning Sri Lanka as a regional AI hub and attracting global investments.
    • Achieving widespread AI adoption and establishing an environmentally sustainable AI ecosystem.

Challenges and mitigation

  • Addressing talent shortages and brain drain through education and incentives.
  • Enhancing public trust to mitigate resistance to AI adoption.
  • Developing resilient policies to balance innovation with societal safeguards.