ICE 2024 Ignites Innovation and AI Potential in Sri Lanka

Thursday, 29 August 2024 15:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The sixth edition of Innovation Creativity Entrepreneurship (ICE) 2024, conceptualized & led by Prof. Suranga Nanayakkara from the National University of Singapore (NUS), concluded successfully, showcasing the immense potential of Sri Lankan youth in driving innovation through Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The intensive three-day residential workshop, held in partnership with Meta, SHA Foundation, and Hash 3 Three, saw 32 undergraduate students selected from a pool of 215 deserving applicants. The program provided participants with a unique platform to identify problem statements and design creative, AI-powered solutions under the guidance of a team of AI and computing experts, as well as successful entrepreneurs.

Prof. Nanayakkara highlighted the exceptional value of the program, stating that a similar experience at a university like Stanford in the USA would cost around USD 14,000. The hands-on sessions, talks, and mentorship offered at ICE 2024 provide invaluable learning opportunities for the students.

Mr. Kushil Gunasekara,Founder of Foundation of Goodness emphasized the program's significance in fostering a new mindset and startup culture among Sri Lanka's youth.

The six student groups presented impressive business ideas with prototypes and robust business plans, addressing challenges in tourism, student career decisions, senior citizen loneliness, and nutrition tracking.

ICE 2024 underscored the potential of Sri Lankan students and garnered significant industry interest in supporting their ideas. The program serves as a catalyst for generating a new economy, creating employment opportunities, and promoting the positive use of AI in Sri Lanka.