Developing countries must be given equal opportunities when creating a global AI governance framework, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne told the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai, China.
He stressed that global AI governance must involve Southern Hemisphere nations at the decision‑making table, not merely inform them afterward.
Delivering a keynote under the theme “Partnerships for a Shared Future”, Weeraratne said AI is already reshaping public services and economies worldwide, making it vital that the benefits of this transformation are distributed fairly.
“The real issue is not whether society will change, but whether the benefits are shared equitably,” he emphasized.
Weeraratne outlined Sri Lanka’s progress in building a strong digital foundation through the DIGIECON 2030 programme, highlighting the establishment of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) platform and plans for a national AI institute to advance research, ethics, and innovation.
He underscored that developing nations must retain the right to manage their own digital infrastructure while engaging with international AI systems. For global security rules to be meaningful, he said, developing countries must be empowered to implement them.
“The success of AI should be measured not only by technological progress but by how it improves the lives of ordinary people,” he added.
Sri Lanka was represented at the summit by Deputy Minister Weeraratne, Digital Economy Ministry advisor Sumudu Ranayake, and regional state representatives, alongside digital ministers and industry leaders from across the world. (Newswire)