Sri Lanka is preparing to host its premier artificial intelligence platform, Sri Lanka AI Week 2026, running from September 25 to 30 in Colombo. Pioneered by the Ministry of Digital Economy in collaboration with SLT-MOBITEL, the week-long initiative operates under the theme “AI Amplified”. The event aims to bring together global tech leaders, policymakers, and innovators to accelerate AI adoption, investment, and digital transformation across the region’s expanding technological ecosystem.

Key Events and Schedule The week features a structured lineup aimed at different segments of the tech and business communities:

• AI Hackathon (September 25): The program opens at the SLT Auditorium, challenging developers and innovators to build bold solutions for real-world problems.
• AI Leaders Night (September 28): An exclusive networking forum designed for policymakers, global speakers, and senior corporate executives to forge strategic partnerships and explore avenues for collaboration.
• AI Conference & National AI Expo (September 29 – 30): The core of the week features two days of keynote presentations and panel discussions on AI policy, business transformation, and enterprise insights. The accompanying National AI Expo is open to the public free of charge, showcasing practical AI implementations across sectors like healthcare, education, manufacturing, and IT. This free exhibition provides a valuable grounding for students and professionals looking to start their AI life and understand the basics of the technology before diving into formal beginner learning programs.
• National AI Awards (September 30): Recognizing scalable AI implementations, the awards cover more than 16 sectors across four main categories: National AI Trailblazer, Industry & Sector Excellence, Innovation & Future-Focused, and AI Content Creator of the Year.

New Infrastructure Initiatives Aligned with the event’s goals to drive thought leadership and accessibility, SLT-MOBITEL has introduced two major infrastructural platforms.

• SMART AI: Positioned as South Asia’s first AI tokenisation platform, it allows users to purchase AI token credits directly through their connectivity plans, simplifying access to leading AI tools.
• AI Hub: A national engagement platform designed to connect learners, academia, researchers, and industry within a single governed digital ecosystem to foster talent and data-driven innovation.

These developments highlight a significant push toward integrating emerging tech and robust infrastructure into the national framework, creating new operational standards for Sri Lanka’s digital future.