The advanced workshop facility is equipped with cuttingedge diagnostic tools and specialised repair machinery to ensure rapid turnaround times and precision servicing Business TikTok expands AI literacy efforts to help people better understand AI-generated content Published 4 mi…
The advanced workshop facility is equipped with cuttingedge diagnostic tools and specialised repair machinery to ensure rapid turnaround times and precision servicing
Business TikTok expands AI literacy efforts to help people better understand AI-generated content
Published 4 mins agoon 2026/07/20
TikTok announced a new set of initiatives to help people better identify and understand AI-generated content on the platform to ensure that they have a safe digital experience. As generative AI continues to transform how content is created and shared, the company is expanding its efforts to promote transparency through new educational resources, enhanced spam detection, and deeper collaboration with industry partners. As AI unlocks new opportunities for creativity and self-expression, TikTok continues to invest in the tools, partnerships, and safeguards that help people confidently navigate AI-powered experiences while supporting authentic content and creator trust. Helping people make informed decisions starts with education. To strengthen AI literacy, TikTok has partnered with the News & Media Literacy Alliance (NAMLE) and renowned deepfake researcher Henry Ajder to develop a practical guide that helps people better understand AI technologies, recognize AI-generated content, and use AI tools responsibly. In the coming weeks, TikTok will be launching an in-app AI literacy hub in Sri Lanka, providing educational resources whenever users search for AI-related topics. The hub will offer practical guidance on identifying AI-generated content and navigating AI-powered experiences with greater confidence. “We believe people should have context, confidence and control over their experiences with AI on TikTok. We continue to invest in technologies, partnerships and educational resources that help people spot AI-generated content, understand how it’s created, and use these tools creatively and responsibly,” said Tom Varghese, AI Lead for TikTok’s Global Public Policy team. TikTok is also continuing to invest in trusted organizations that promote AI literacy. Since launching the initiative in November 2025, partners including No Filtr and Raspberry Pi have produced educational content that has collectively generated more than 200 million views. TikTok has committed over US$4 million to the program to date and will continue expanding its investment to reach more communities worldwide.
Business Sri Lankan gemological scientist innovates ‘one of world’s most powerful’ gem analysis microscopes
Published 9 mins agoon 2026/07/20
Inclusions in a 0.61ct Ruby: A Don Berry 450x view shows rounded apatite and tabular corundum crystals with thermally dissolved edges A Sri Lankan gemological scientist has unveiled a high-magnification digital microscope designed to enhance analysis speed and reveal internal features far beyond the reach of conventional dimensions. The innovator believes this innovation could strengthen transparency throughout the country’s gem and jewellery industry. Milinda Edirisinghe, founder of the Gemological Report of Ceylon (GRC) laboratory in Colombo, said the microscope is the result of two years of research and development to overcome the optical limitations of conventional gemological microscopes. According to Edirisinghe, the new system consists of four digital microscope models capable of magnifications of 450x, 600x, 1000x, and 1440x, allowing gemologists to examine microscopic internal features, or inclusions, with substantially greater clarity than conventional laboratory equipment. These models are named by Edirisinghe as the Don Berry 450x, Don Berry 600x, Don Berry 3rd Eye 1000x, and Don Berry 3rd Eye 1440x. Milinda Edirisinghe “The biggest limitation in gemology has always been what the microscope could actually reveal,” Edirisinghe said in an interview. “Simply increasing magnification was not enough. Many internal features remained difficult to observe clearly, forcing laboratories to rely on indirect analytical techniques and expert interpretation.” He further stated that these advanced microscopes will reveal many previously undiscovered aspects of gemology to the world. Gemological laboratories routinely use advanced analytical methods such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and other spectroscopic techniques to identify gemstones, determine treatments and analyse internal characteristics that cannot easily be resolved through optical examination alone. Edirisinghe said this innovation enables much clearer visual observation of inclusions, crystal structures and other internal characteristics. One of the other significant benefits, he said, is the ability to dramatically reduce examination time, as the system’s ultra-high magnification and exceptionally clear images allow gemologists to swiftly analyze stones and identify internal inclusions. “Microscopic examination of a single gemstone could previously take anywhere from 2-3 minutes to few hours, often hampered by poor vision and forcing us to guess the inclusion type most of the time,” he said. “With the new system, a complete examination can often be completed in less than a minute.” The microscope incorporates high-resolution digital imaging, allowing photographs and video recordings of internal gemstone features to be captured, archived and incorporated into laboratory reports. Edirisinghe said the digital records also improve traceability and provide permanent documentation for future references. The system is also designed to integrate artificial intelligence-assisted image analysis. It captures exceptionally clear, ultra-high-quality images of inclusion structures, which are fed into the AI system to be precisely tallied and matched with existing images. According to Edirisinghe, the AI software compares these captured inclusion patterns with an expanding database of reference images to assist gemologists in identifying mineral inclusions and geological characteristics associated with particular gemstone types and origins. Edirisinghe believes the technology could have implications beyond laboratory testing. More detailed identification of internal features may enable jewellery manufacturers to classify gemstones with greater confidence, improve quality assurance and adopt more transparent pricing strategies for premium jewellery, he said. He also says that improved documentation could increase consumer confidence by providing more comprehensive certification of high-value gemstones and diamonds. According to Edirisinghe, most gemological laboratories in Sri Lanka currently use microscopes offering optical magnification ranging from around 90x to 180x, although microscope configurations and capabilities vary between laboratories. His new system combines optical and digital technologies to achieve higher effective magnification while simultaneously capturing digital images. As a veteran gemological scientist with over two decades of experience in gemstone mining, trading and geological research, Edirisinghe said he developed the microscope using specially imported Japanese optical components after numerous prototype modifications. He has also collaborated with gemological laboratories in Thailand during his research. He said the newly established GRC laboratory aims to raise the standard of gem certification in Sri Lanka by combining advanced microscopy, digital documentation and AI-supported analysis to produce more detailed laboratory reports. Edirisinghe invites gemologists, jewellers, exporters and researchers to evaluate the technology through live demonstrations, saying independent assessment by industry professionals will ultimately determine its value to the sector.
Business First Capital sees 70% chance Central Bank will hold rates on July 21
Published 9 mins agoon 2026/07/20
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank is likely to keep interest rates unchanged at its monetary policy review on July 21, with the effects of its surprise tightening in May still working through the economy, according to First Capital Research. In a pre-policy report released yesterday, the research firm assigned a 70% probability to the Central Bank maintaining the Overnight Policy Rate at 8.75%, while leaving open a 30% chance of a modest 25-basis-point increase if policymakers judge external and inflation risks to have intensified. First Capital argues that the Central Bank’s unexpected 100-basis-point rate hike in May has yet to fully transmit through the economy, noting that monetary policy typically takes several months to produce its full effects. It says another increase at this stage could unnecessarily restrain economic activity before the impact of the previous tightening becomes evident. The report also points to easing inflation pressures following declines in global oil prices and recent domestic reductions in fuel and cooking gas prices. It expects private sector credit growth to moderate under existing monetary conditions, while liquidity in the banking system stabilises naturally without further intervention. Higher market lending rates and already restrictive financial conditions further reduce the case for another immediate increase, it says. However, the research house cautions that policymakers may still opt for a precautionary rate hike if external risks worsen. It identifies renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the possibility of higher global oil prices, softer worker remittance inflows, pressure on foreign reserves and the need to support the Sri Lankan rupee as key factors that could justify further tightening. The report concludes that, on balance, the Central Bank is more likely to pause and assess the effects of its earlier policy action while closely monitoring inflation, exchange rate movements and global developments before deciding whether additional tightening is warranted later in the year. By Sanath Nanayakkare