Sri Lanka will hold its second artificial intelligence conference and exhibition from September 28 to October 4, featuring over 50 startups and national awards. The event supports the government's strategy to grow the digital economy from 3 billion dollars to 15 billion dollars by 2030, with AI expected to contribute…
Sri Lanka will host the second edition of 'Sri Lanka AI Week 2026' from late September through early October, marking a significant step in the nation's push toward becoming a technology producer rather than merely a consumer. Organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy alongside state telecommunications provider SLT-Mobitel, the week-long initiative will operate under the banner "AI Amplified" and represent an evolution from the inaugural 2025 event, which focused on basic technological awareness.
Official strategy documents unveiled at a launch event outline ambitions to expand the digital economy from its current 3 billion dollar value to 15 billion dollars by 2030. Within this framework, artificial intelligence is projected to account for approximately 10 percent of total value, or roughly 1.5 billion dollars. The event will feature a national conference, an expo showcasing over 50 startups, and national AI awards. According to officials, the gathering aims to convene policymakers, academics, and international experts to chart Sri Lanka's competitive positioning in global markets.
Government representatives emphasized the importance of democratizing artificial intelligence access beyond corporate leadership. The Ministry of Digital Economy Secretary stated that AI applications should reach rural populations including farmers, fishermen, and village communities rather than remaining confined to executive boardrooms. This commitment aligns with an "AI-First" policy approach that builds upon previous "digital-first" and "mobile-first" initiatives. During the event, SLT-Mobitel plans to introduce an AI Hub aggregating models for local developers and will announce progress on connecting all secondary schools via nationwide fiber by year's end.
The inaugural 2025 AI Week drew over 10,000 visitors, 50 international speakers, and 30 exhibitors, according to SLT Group leadership. The telecommunications provider is also launching "Smart AI," described as Sri Lanka's first AI tokenization platform enabling students, creators, and businesses to purchase computing credits through telecom connectivity.
