Educational Technology (EdTech) has significant potential to improve educational outcomes and address widening skill gaps across the Global South, with significant investments in the sector being made over the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated growth in the sector, with remote learning related technology being in high demand. EdTech presents a wealth of opportunities to enhance learning outcomes by augmenting traditional teaching methods, offering customized learning tools, and enabling more effective monitoring and evaluation through data-driven insights. The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize EdTech is vast—its impact is yet to be fully realized. Research shows that the impact of these investments on learning outcomes and education management has been inconsistent at best.
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant potential to enhance public services and drive innovation within Sri Lanka’s public sector. At the AI Asia Summit 2024 in Colombo, Merl Chandana, Research Manager and head of the Data, Algorithms, and Policy (DAP) team at LIRNEasia, shared insights on how the government can harness AI effectively and responsibly. Speaking on a panel titled “AI for National Economic Growth and Innovation: enhancing services and driving efficiency,” Merl outlined key considerations for adopting AI in ways that truly benefit citizens. Practical steps for AI adoption in public services Merl emphasized that while AI offers vast possibilities, public sector adoption must be both strategic and phased. After highlighting a few ongoing AI pilot initiatives in Sri Lanka’s public sector, he noted that these projects often begin with a strong data foundation and empowered decision-makers with deep expertise in their fields.