Sri Lanka urges AI to uplift humanity, not replace labour: Minister

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, has called for a global shift in the way Artificial Intelligence (AI) is viewed in the world of work, stressing that it should be used to “uplift humanity to greater heights” rather than replace human labour.

Speaking at the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, currently underway in Geneva, the Minister said Sri Lanka supports international cooperation to ensure fair value distribution and living wages in AI-integrated production systems.

The conference, organised by the International Labour Organization, brings together more than 5,000 delegates from 187 member states, including representatives of governments, employers, and workers. It began on 1 June and concludes on 12 June.

Addressing the session, Minister Fernando said the global debate on AI should move beyond fears of job displacement and instead focus on redesigning production systems to improve productivity and shared prosperity.

He said that Sri Lanka is positioning AI as a “multiplier” for productivity, a “catalyst” for transitioning workers into higher-value roles, and a “transformative force” for modernising agriculture and informal sectors. He added that recent local research indicates around 22.8% of Sri Lanka’s workforce is exposed to generative AI, particularly in professional and office-based roles.

The Minister said Sri Lanka is adopting an “AI-first” approach as part of its broader digital transformation agenda under the leadership of Anura Dissanayake, with plans to expand the digital economy and strengthen the digital workforce.

Reaffirming commitment to labour rights, he highlighted that Sri Lanka ratified ILO Convention C190 on violence and harassment in the workplace in May 2026, while preparations are underway to ratify Convention 188 for the fisheries sector. An expert committee is also reviewing broader labour reforms aimed at inclusive and sustainable growth.

Referring to recent national challenges, the Minister said Sri Lanka has demonstrated resilience in recovering from the economic impacts of the Ditwa cyclone and an energy crisis, while maintaining transparent economic management.

He concluded by urging global cooperation to bridge the digital and AI divide, emphasizing that AI should be used not to replace humans, but to elevate human potential and ensure fair outcomes for all workers.