Sri Lanka is South Asia’s most AI-exposed economy, leading the region in artificial intelligence (AI) job growth, a World Bank report states.

The country has the highest share of white-collar job postings requiring AI skills at 7.3 per cent. 

However, the World Bank warned that Sri Lanka also ranks lowest in AI–human complementarity, suggesting a high risk of job displacement if workers are not quickly reskilled.

The report also noted Sri Lanka ranks second in South Asia for ChatGPT usage per capita, behind the Maldives. 

To mitigate risks, the World Bank recommends strengthening digital foundations and investing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.