The United States is deepening its global influence in artificial intelligence by helping Sri Lanka develop its first national AI policy framework for higher education, marking a significant expansion of American technological diplomacy in South Asia. The initiative, developed in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s University Grants Commission, reflects Washington’s broader strategy of promoting U.S.-led AI standards and expertise as countries around the world race to modernize their economies and education systems.
The framework reached a major milestone on May 8 with a soft launch ceremony at the University Grants Commission in Colombo. The event was attended by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Jayne Howell and Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who served as chief guest. The gathering brought together senior government officials, university leaders and education policymakers at a moment when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping global labor markets, research systems and national competitiveness.
At the heart of the initiative is a partnership between American AI specialists and Sri Lankan educational authorities aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into university teaching, learning, administration and research. The framework was developed under the technical leadership of Professor Usree Bhattacharya of the University of Georgia, a recognized expert in responsible AI and educational innovation.
According to U.S. officials, the project demonstrates America’s commitment to exporting what it describes as transparent, ethical and trusted AI systems. Washington sees artificial intelligence not only as a transformative technology, but also as a strategic domain where global standards and governance models are increasingly contested among major powers.
“America leads the world in artificial intelligence, and we are proud to bring that leadership to our partners,” said Chargé d’Affaires Jayne Howell during the launch event. She emphasized that collaboration with the United States gives countries access to advanced and reliable AI technologies while opening opportunities for partnerships with American companies, researchers and universities.
The initiative arrives at a time when governments worldwide are scrambling to establish regulatory frameworks for AI amid growing concerns over privacy, misinformation, automation and digital inequality. By helping shape Sri Lanka’s national policy architecture at an early stage, the United States is positioning its technological values and standards at the center of the country’s long-term AI development strategy.
Sri Lanka’s University Grants Commission welcomed the partnership as an important step toward modernizing higher education and preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital economy. UGC Chairman Professor Kapila Seneviratne said the framework would help universities build the skills and institutional capacity needed to compete in a future increasingly driven by advanced technologies.
The drafting process brought together representatives from all 18 state universities in Sri Lanka, alongside industry leaders, administrators and policymakers. Participants worked to create guidelines that would allow universities to integrate AI tools into academic and operational systems while maintaining ethical safeguards and transparency.
Officials involved in the project say the framework is designed to ensure that universities adopt AI responsibly, balancing innovation with accountability. The policy also seeks to create a foundation for future collaboration between Sri Lankan institutions and American technology firms, potentially opening pathways for investment, research partnerships and educational exchanges.
Professor Usree Bhattacharya played a central role in shaping the initiative. An Associate Professor at the University of Georgia and member of the university’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence Executive Committee, she has been involved in developing ethical AI guidance for education systems in the U.S. state of Georgia. Her previous engagement with Sri Lanka included a 2025 visit focused on integrating AI into English language education.
The United States has increasingly used technology partnerships as a key pillar of its foreign policy, especially in strategically important regions where influence over digital infrastructure and standards is becoming a new arena of geopolitical competition. By promoting American approaches to AI governance abroad, Washington aims to reinforce its role as the global leader in emerging technologies while countering alternative models promoted by rival powers.
For Sri Lanka, the partnership represents an opportunity to accelerate modernization in higher education at a time when the country is seeking economic recovery and greater integration into the global digital economy. AI is expected to play a major role in transforming sectors ranging from education and healthcare to finance and public administration, making the establishment of national guidelines increasingly urgent.
The finalized Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework for Higher Education is expected to be completed in June before being distributed to universities across the country for implementation. Once adopted, it will serve as a roadmap for how Sri Lankan higher education institutions incorporate AI technologies into classrooms, research programs and administrative systems.
