The swift advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the global employment landscape. As companies transition to more efficient, AI-integrated teams, major tech firms like Meta, Amazon, and Oracle are scaling back their workforce and reimagining traditional work processes.
The effects of this shift are profound. According to the Institute of Policy Studies, an estimated 22% of Sri Lanka’s labor force, which amounts to around 1.83 million individuals, will be impacted by generative AI technologies. For recent graduates entering the job market, this development may seem intimidating. However, this evolution also presents new opportunities.
At the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), faculty members recognized this impending change early on. They have tailored their curricula and teaching methods to ensure that students acquire the necessary competencies to excel in an AI-enhanced work environment. Professor Nuwan Kodagoda, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Computing and an expert in generative AI, emphasizes that preparation commences right from orientation.
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While the full extent of AI’s impact on employment over the coming decade remains uncertain, current industry expectations are explicit. “Employers now anticipate that entry-level candidates possess proficiency in relevant AI tools,” Professor Kodagoda remarks, highlighting a trend that transcends the IT sector.
To address this need, SLIIT integrates practical industry experience into all its faculties. Students are involved in structured industry interactions at various stages of their education. For instance, first-year students participate in workshops led by industry experts, while those in their third and fourth years gain valuable experience through internships and placements, supported by faculty members, including scientists affiliated with Stanford and Elsevier.
Assessment strategies have also adapted to the changing landscape. In an era where information can be easily accessed and processed by AI, there is a greater focus on practical application rather than mere recall. Some assessments are project-based, requiring students to utilize AI tools in a responsible manner, while examinations allow the use of reference materials, evaluating interpretation, reasoning, and decision-making capabilities.
However, thriving in today’s workplace necessitates human-centric skills that AI cannot replicate. Commonly referred to as “human skills,” abilities such as collaboration, effective communication, active listening, and conflict resolution are increasingly important. Each faculty at SLIIT employs specific strategies to enhance these skills among students.
The SLIIT Business School hosts competitive challenges focused on business proposals. Engineering students engage in multidisciplinary design projects that extend beyond their primary courses, and the Faculty of Computing incorporates hands-on hardware projects into its curricula.
Within the Faculty of Computing, students are organized into diverse teams comprising various geographic, ethnic, and gender backgrounds. “We refer to this as diversity grouping,” notes Professor Kodagoda. These teams are restructured annually to foster continuous development of interpersonal and collaborative skills among students.
With 25 years of experience in providing industry-relevant education, SLIIT’s results are evident. Graduates report a remarkable 96% employability rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of an education model that aligns with the demands of the real world.
AI has not diminished the concept of success; rather, it has reshaped it. Previously, success for an IT graduate often meant securing a position in large IT companies focused on foreign markets. Today, SLIIT equips its graduates to innovate and implement AI-driven solutions across various sectors, including agriculture, banking, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries.
