Sri Lanka has called for developing nations to be given a direct role in shaping the rules that will govern artificial intelligence, warning against a system written solely by wealthy countries.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne delivered the message in a keynote address at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China. Speaking at a diplomatic-level forum themed “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future,” he argued that emerging economies must help set global AI governance frameworks rather than simply adopt standards handed down by others.
“Countries like ours deserve a seat at the table where AI rules are written,” the Deputy Minister said, stressing that inclusive policymaking would produce fairer and more widely accepted rules.
Weeraratne highlighted the stake developing nations hold in how AI is regulated, from data governance and safety standards to the economic opportunities the technology can unlock. He positioned Sri Lanka as an active participant in the international debate rather than a passive observer.
The intervention aligns with the government’s wider push to build a digital economy, and follows recent Sri Lankan participation in AI policy discussions in Geneva and elsewhere. The WAIC in Shanghai is one of the largest annual gatherings on artificial intelligence, drawing governments, researchers and industry leaders from around the world.
