Sri Lanka at the Crossroads: Reskilling for the Age of AI
View(s):Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global job market at a pace never seen before. Studies warn that nearly 90% of jobs worldwide could be disrupted by AI in the coming decade. For Sri Lanka, a nation already navigating economic recovery and youth unemployment, this global shift presents both a formidable challenge and a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Global Wake-Up Call,
Local Stakes
Around the world, industries from healthcare to finance are retraining workers to adapt to AI-driven tools. Tech firms such as Cognizant have pledged to reskill over a million people by 2026 through initiatives like Synapse combining training, academic partnerships, and nonprofit outreach.
For Sri Lanka, the implications are stark. If the country lags behind in reskilling, local industries risk falling behind regional competitors such as India and Singapore, both of which are rapidly investing in AI readiness.
Education and Industry
Must Unite
Sri Lanka’s higher education sector rich with universities producing IT, engineering, and business graduates has the potential to be the backbone of an AI-ready workforce. But experts say a stronger bridge is needed between academia, industry, and government.
Short, practical training modules, “AI bootcamps,” and industry-recognised micro-credentials could give graduates and mid-career workers a competitive edge. Partnerships with global tech providers could also help expose Sri Lankan talent to world-class resources.
The Human Advantage
Yet, reskilling is not just about learning to code or run algorithms. In an age when machines can process data faster than humans, qualities like creativity, problem-solving, and empathy remain uniquely human strengths. Sri Lankan professionals valued globally for adaptability and communication can leverage these traits to remain relevant in an AI-driven world.
A Policy Moment for Sri Lanka
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Technology are well placed to drive this transformation. Analysts argue that a national AI reskilling strategy should be prioritised, just as digital literacy and IT education were expanded in earlier decades.
Public-private partnerships could fund scholarships, AI labs, and vocational reskilling programmes. Nonprofits and international development agencies, already active in Sri Lanka, can play a key role in reaching underserved communities ensuring reskilling is inclusive.
The Road Ahead
For Sri Lankan businesses and policymakers, the message is urgent: reskilling is not optional. It is the difference between becoming a hub for AI-driven industries or being left behind in the global race.
With its young, English-speaking workforce, the island has a real chance to carve out a niche in the global AI economy. But the window is closing fast. The decisions taken in the next two to three years will determine whether Sri Lanka seizes the AI opportunity or risks watching it pass by.
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