Supporting responsible AI adoption in Sri Lanka

The workshop brought together government officials and practitioners from development partners to conduct a use case scoping exercise. Participants identified potential areas where AI can make an impact, the challenges of adopting AI, and the safeguards needed for adopting AI in the context of Sri Lanka. The use cases were then prioritised based on their feasibility and impact perspectives. 

The first day was a policy dialogue and knowledge exchange for more than 100 participants, including policymakers and technical officers working across social protection, digital transformation, climate change and disaster risk management. Representatives of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank also took part. Panel discussions looked at the opportunities and challenges of using AI responsibly in social protection. Topics included how better use of data and digital tools could help identify poverty and vulnerability, strengthen responses to climate-related disasters, and make it easier for people to access information, raise concerns and find available support. 

On the second day the focus moved from policy to practice, with deeper dives into key themes. Working in groups, around 50 technical professionals looked at the following themes, each tackling key aspects of social protection from complimentary angles:

1. Vulnerability, forecasting and social protection planning,
2. Beneficiary journey and service delivery,
3. Climate risk and social protection,
4. Livelihoods and broader social security.

Each group identified and explored potential AI applications to strengthen social protection systems, service delivery and responsiveness to shocks. This paves the way for prioritising opportunities that answer to national needs, capacities, and effectively address existing challenges.

Throughout the discussions, it was clear that participants agreed on one principle; the value of technology ceases when it does not serve people. The value of using AI for social protection lies in its ability to address concrete challenges in delivery, institutional coordination, or policy and, ultimately, improve outcomes for vulnerable peoples.

Responsible use requires attention to data protection, bias and discrimination and accountability and human oversight. It must also keep children’s rights, privacy and best interests central to make sure technology never creates new barriers to essential services.

Next Steps

Building on the discussion started at the workshop, the findings will be translated into strategic insights and practical recommendations designed to create opportunities and encourage synergies.

The next step? A sequenced roadmap that strengthens national AI foundations while advancing practical AI applications in social protection. After scoping the existing landscape, it is important to assess AI readiness, and identify what needs to be done to strengthen institutional capabilities and move from AI readiness to sustainable delivery.

The AI Hub for Social Protection will support this process as the technical arm and help desk. The process itself will be nationally led and tailored to Sri Lanka’s context.

Interested in starting an AI Journey of your own? Reach out to the AI Hub through contact@spdci.org