Christeen Masha of the Department of Economics, University of Colombo wins this year’s Saman Kelegama Memorial Research Grant

6 August 2024

M. Christeen Masha of the Department of Economics, University of Colombo, is the winner of the Saman Kelegama Memorial Research Grant for 2024. Her research study will explore the impact of the rapidly developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology on Sri Lanka’s labour force. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, many companies plan to integrate AI technology into their operations in the near future. While AI technology offers significant efficiency improvements, it also challenges traditional work patterns.

In this context, her study aims to evaluate the effects of AI technology on employment patterns in Sri Lanka. Additionally, it will analyse the influence of AI technology on labour productivity by examining how AI integration in various industries affects overall efficiency and output. Furthermore, the study will identify the emerging skills needed for an AI-driven job market and analyse the necessity to retrain and upskill the existing workforce to meet AI technology demands.

Ms Masha is currently conducting her research at IPS under the supervision of IPS Research Economist Dr Pulasthi Amarasinghe.