Climbing the AI Readiness Ladder: How Sri Lanka Can Prepare for the Future of Artificial Intelligence

by Prpf Hiran Amarasekera. Future-Ready AI Skills Hub | Published on StudentLanka.com

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries around the world—from health care to agriculture, banking to education. But can we really embrace AI in our businesses and government institutions here in Sri Lanka?

The answer is: Yes—but only if we take the right first steps.

We Can’t Skip Steps: First Comes Digitization

Many Sri Lankan institutions—both public and private—still operate in a traditional, paper-based way. Circulars, handwritten letters, and unrecorded phone calls still dominate decision-making. While this has worked in the past, it creates a major barrier to adopting advanced technologies like AI.

AI systems don’t work on paper—they run on data. And to have useful data, we need digitized, structured, and centralized information.

That’s where the AI Readiness Ladder comes in.

The AI Readiness Ladder for Sri Lankan Businesses & Governments

We designed this ladder to show how organisations can gradually evolve from manual operations to being AI-driven.

Level 1: Traditional (Manual Operations)

• Paper files, manual workflows
• No centralised data systems
• No digital tools used for operations

Level 2: Digitalization

• Start using digital tools (emails, spreadsheets, basic software)
• Some records entered manually into computers
• Communication partially digital

Level 3: Digitization

• All important records scanned and stored digitally
• Internal processes start moving into cloud-based systems
• Clear file organization, basic cybersecurity practices

Level 4: Data & Machine Learning Readiness

• Clean, structured data stored in databases
• Use of dashboards, business intelligence tools
• Basic experiments with automation and data analysis

Level 5: AI-Driven Business or Organization

• Use of AI tools like chatbots, predictive analytics, recommendation systems
• Data-driven decision-making at all levels
• Cultural shift toward innovation, speed, and automation

Why This Ladder Matters

Sri Lankan companies and institutions don’t need to jump to AI overnight. But we do need to start climbing—starting with digitization.

If we skip the early steps, we risk wasting money on high-tech tools that don’t deliver value because we don’t have the right data infrastructure.

What You Can Do

Whether you are a student, entrepreneur, educator, or policymaker, here’s how you can help:

• Advocate for digitization in your workplace or institution
• Encourage staff to adopt digital tools and basic data practices
• Learn data management, digital skills, and AI fundamentals
• Help others understand that AI is a journey—not a single tool

Resources from India, the USA, and China. – offer insights into national strategies, policy frameworks, and practical initiatives that can serve as benchmarks for Sri Lanka’s journey toward AI integration.

India: Strategic Initiatives and AI Readiness

National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence – NITI Aayog
India’s comprehensive roadmap focusing on leveraging AI for inclusive growth across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education.
👉 Read the Strategy

India Among Top 10 Countries with AI Readiness – BCG Report
Highlights India’s position in AI readiness, emphasizing its strengths in AI specialists and research publications.
👉 Explore the Report

United States: Policies and AI Governance

1. National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence
   Outlines the U.S. strategy to advance leadership in AI, focusing on national security and ethical considerations.
   👉 View the Memorandum
2. Generative AI and Open Data Guidelines – U.S. Department of Commerce
   Provides best practices for publishing open data optimized for generative AI systems.
   👉 Access the Guidelines
3. 2025 AI Index Report – Stanford HAI
   Analyzes global AI trends, including U.S. federal investments and regulatory developments in AI.
   👉 Read the Report

China: AI Development Plans and Investments

1. New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan
   China’s strategic plan aiming to become the world leader in AI by 2030, focusing on innovation and infrastructure.
   👉 Overview of the Plan
2. Cisco AI Readiness Index – China
   Assesses China’s organizational readiness to adopt and leverage AI technologies across various sectors.
   👉 Download the Report
3. AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All
   China’s proposal emphasizing international cooperation in AI capacity-building aligned with sustainable development goals.
   👉 Read the Action Plan

🌐 Global Comparative Insights

1. Government AI Readiness Index 2024 – Oxford Insights
   Evaluates the readiness of governments worldwide to implement AI in public services, providing a comparative framework.
   👉 Explore the Index
2. Responsible AI Readiness Index – IMF
   Assesses countries’ preparedness to adopt and leverage AI responsibly, focusing on governance, infrastructure, and ethics.
   👉 https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/datasets/AIPI

Final Thoughts

Sri Lanka has the talent and the potential to thrive in the AI era. But success begins with the basics—digitize first, and AI will follow.

Let’s climb the ladder, one step at a time.

Written by Prof Hiran Amarasekera at Future-Ready AI Skills Hub in collaboration with StudentLanka.com

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