Partnership with The AI Board, UK, opens a UK-regulated AI pathway from age 14 to master’s level through 40 study centres islandwide.

Learners across Sri Lanka, from major cities to rural villages, can now pursue UK-regulated AI qualifications from age 14 through to master’s level, following a new partnership between ESOFT and The Artificial Intelligence Board (The AI Board), UK. The qualifications are available through ESOFT’s 40 study centres across the country, as well as through hybrid and online learning via ESOFT Online.

For learners aged 14 and older, the six-stage pathway begins with the Level 2 Award in Understanding AI. It then advances through Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 qualifications, leading to top-up degrees from Kingston University London and MSc programmes offered through ESOFT UNI.

Dr. Dayan Rajapakse, Founder, Chairman and Group Managing Director of ESOFT Group of Companies, said: “AI is becoming part of almost every profession, so it is important that more people have the ability to understand, apply, and use it responsibly. Whether they are starting at school, moving on to higher education, or looking to apply AI in their careers, our partnership provides Sri Lankan learners with a structured and UK-regulated pathway to build these skills. A key part of our commitment is making this opportunity accessible online, across our centres, and through free AI training for educators.”

Learners can choose between two tracks: Applied AI & Engineering, and AI Business, which covers topics including marketing, operations, finance, HR, compliance, AI governance, and strategy. Together, the two tracks enable learners to develop AI skills relevant to a range of academic and professional fields, demonstrating that AI is not limited to programming and engineering roles.

The qualifications are regulated by Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications and examinations in England, giving learners defined, credit-bearing qualifications with clear progression. The AI Board is the UK’s only awarding body built exclusively for AI and data qualifications, and its standards are developed with input from employers, educators, and practitioners.

Mr. Joseph Jones, Managing Director and Co-Founder of The AI Board, UK, said: “AI education needs to provide learners with a solid foundation in responsible practice while reflecting the skills employers are looking for. Our qualifications are developed in collaboration with practitioners, educators, and employers to stay relevant to real-world applications of AI. These standards are now accessible to learners and educators throughout Sri Lanka thanks to our partnership with ESOFT.”

Responsible AI is built into the qualification pathway, with areas including ethics, bias, privacy, and responsible use incorporated into the learning. Additionally, ESOFT is expanding the programme to educators and supporting the growth of AI understanding within the wider educational system by providing teachers, lecturers, and trainers with the Level 3 Award in AI for Teaching Professionals free of charge.

The partnership was officially launched on 28 September 2026 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, with a panel discussion on “AI-Powered Governance and Economic Development”, featuring representatives from industry, education, and technology. Panellists included Prof. Sree Ganesh Thottempudi of SRH Berlin University; Mr. Joseph Jones of The AI Board, UK; and Mr. Indika De Zoysa, representing Huawei Technologies Lanka, the Computer Society of Sri Lanka, and LK Domain Registry.

Established in 2000, ESOFT has more than 25 years of experience in education and operates 40 study centres across Sri Lanka. Working professionals can continue their education through flexible learning options, while learners in towns and villages outside Colombo can access the qualification pathway online or at a centre close to home.

For more information on the AI qualifications and to explore available programmes, visit www.esoft.lk.