Sri Lanka’s artificial intelligence landscape presents a compelling contrast, with the country demonstrating strong technical expertise despite lagging behind global leaders in overall AI adoption, according to the latest Anthropic Economic Index 2026.
The report ranks Sri Lanka 83rd out of 121 countries for overall AI usage, with population adjusted adoption reaching just 0.56 times the expected level. However, the country’s AI users are distinguished by their strong focus on advanced technical applications rather than routine administrative tasks.
Sri Lankan users significantly outperform the global average in areas such as computer science theory, software development, web front end development, and AI application building. Nearly 30 per cent of AI activity is concentrated in computer and mathematical work, while a further 15 per cent supports education and learning. The report also notes that Sri Lanka’s software development related AI usage exceeds that of several larger emerging economies, including India, Brazil, Vietnam, Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria.
Despite this technical strength, broader international assessments continue to highlight challenges in AI infrastructure, research investment, enterprise adoption, and public sector readiness. Analysts suggest that transforming Sri Lanka’s highly skilled AI talent into broader economic gains will require greater investment in digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and institutional capacity. The Government’s proposal to establish a National AI Centre, supported by an allocation of Rs. 1.5 billion, is viewed as an important step towards accelerating AI adoption and strengthening the country’s digital economy ambitions.
