## 📈 Sri Lanka Launches First National AI Framework for Higher Education

The US Embassy and the University Grants Commission (UGC) have partnered to develop Sri Lanka’s first national AI policy framework for higher education, integrating American standards into the local academic landscape. • Strategic Partnership: Developed with technical leadership from the University of Georgia, the initiative aligns Sri Lanka’s 18 State universities with US-led best practices in transparency, security, and ethics. • Economic & Sector Impact: • Higher Education: Modernizes the system to equip students for the digital economy; framework covers teaching, research, and administration. • ICT/BPM & Tech: Positions US standards at the foundation of local AI development, fostering long-term opportunities for American technology firms and local researchers. • Employment: Aims to bridge the skills gap, enhancing the employability of graduates in high-tech sectors. • Timeline: Based on provisional reports, the framework will be finalized in June 2026 for immediate distribution and implementation across all national universities. This collaboration reinforces the role of emerging technologies in driving national economic growth and strengthening bilateral institutional ties.