FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – In an effort to enhance the appeal of Colombo beyond just a transit hub, the ride-sharing platform PickMe and the John Keells Group have unveiled AI-driven digital ecosystems that aim to integrate travel, entertainment, and cultural experiences.
At the heart of these new platforms is the utilization of artificial intelligence to improve market interaction and operational performance. The John Keells Group’s platform, Cinnamon Box Office, employs a sophisticated AI tool sourced from Germany that provides “predictive sales analysis” to assist event organizers in estimating ticket demand.
“We have utilized this tool for at least ten events over the past three months, achieving an accuracy rate of approximately 90 to 95%,” stated Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior Vice President of Global Alliances & Partnerships and Head of Corporate Affairs at the John Keells Group during an interview with FINANCIAL CHRONICLE.
Additionally, the platform features a Destination Event Calendar that harnesses AI to compile and categorize entertainment options across the country, thereby enhancing the planning of visitor itineraries.
Simultaneously, PickMe is harnessing AI extensively to develop its growing digital ecosystem, known as PickMe Explore. “Currently, there are a million decisions made on our platform daily through AI,” revealed Jiffry Zulfer, CEO of PickMe, in a conversation with FINANCIAL CHRONICLE.
The company boasts a dedicated workforce of around 350 engineers tasked with managing numerous operational models, with a current focus on advancing their systems to include new Large Language Models (LLMs).
Zulfer highlighted that while the platform initially centered on transportation services, it is now evolving into a tool that enhances user experiences by helping individuals discover attractions such as the Lotus Tower and forthcoming venues like museums and nightlife spots.
The integration of these AI technologies is deemed essential for the development of the national digital infrastructure. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, remarked at the launch of PickMe’s Colombo Connect—its first flagship destination under PickMe Explore—that “digital infrastructure does not replace physical infrastructure; it enhances connectivity, intelligence, and overall value.”
He characterized the advent of these platforms as “the shared economy in action,” indicating that AI-enabled connectivity contributes to a more equitable economy by increasing visibility for a diverse range of participants, from large hotel brands to local street vendors. (Colombo/August07/2026)
