Business
Elon Musk paints a startling picture of the future dominated by Artificial Intelligence
AI will be so advanced that probably none of us will have a job, he says
By Sanath Nanayakkare
US-based tech billionaire Elon Musk isn’t exactly assuaging fears about artificial intelligence (AI) just like the global lender-of-last-resort — International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Probably none of us will have a job” in the future, Musk predicted last Thursday.
Despite his confidence in AI’s role in the world’s future, Musk described the technology as his biggest fear and was vocal about his concerns.
“If you want to do a job that’s kind of like a hobby, you can do a job,” Musk said, speaking via webcam to a tech conference in Paris. “But otherwise, AI and the robots will provide any goods and services that you want.”
The end of labor would require a new societal system in which the government gives everyone “universal high income,” he also predicted.
Governments, regulators, companies and consumers are still figuring out how to use AI responsibly and there are fears in many industries about its capacity to cause huge redundancies as many jobs are automated.
Artificial intelligence is generally understood as the ability of computers and machines to handle tasks that require human intelligence.
Machine learning, which is one of the most common applications of AI, involves training machines with large amounts of data to recognise patterns, analyse data, and run forecasts and algorithms.
Experts largely believe that many jobs that require a high emotional intelligence and human interaction will not be replaced, such as mental health professionals, creatives and teachers.
In January 2024, the BBC reported a story titled, “AI to hit 40% of jobs and worsen inequality”, quoting its source as IMF.
“According to an analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), artificial intelligence is set to affect nearly 40% of all jobs,” it said.
“In most scenarios, AI will likely worsen overall inequality,” IMF’s managing director Kristalina Georgieva had said taking a macroeconomic view of the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines
Ms Georgieva added that policymakers should address the “troubling trend” to “prevent the technology from further stoking social tensions”.
The IMF said AI is likely to affect a greater proportion of jobs – put at around 60% – in advanced economies. In half of these instances, workers can expect to benefit from the integration of AI, which will enhance their productivity.
“In other instances, AI will have the ability to perform key tasks that are currently executed by humans. This could lower demand for labour, affecting wages and even eradicating jobs,” the IMF said.
Meanwhile, the IMF projected that the technology would affect just 26% of jobs in low-income countries.
Ms Georgieva said “many of these countries don’t have the infrastructure or skilled workforces to harness the benefits of AI, raising the risk that over time the technology could worsen inequality among nations”.
More generally, higher-income and younger workers may see a disproportionate increase in their wages after adopting AI. Lower-income and older workers could fall behind, the IMF believes.
“It is crucial for countries to establish comprehensive social safety nets and offer retraining programmes for vulnerable workers,” Ms Georgieva said. “In doing so, we can make the AI transition more inclusive, protecting livelihoods and curbing inequality,” she had said.
Elon Musk recently launched his Starlink service (a cluster of satellite unit services) on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali as the country aims to extend internet to its remote areas. Millions of people in Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, are not currently hooked up to reliable internet services.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with Elon Musk in Bali on 19 May 2024 and discussed Sri Lanka being connected to the starlink network. This meeting took place when Wickremesinghe went to Bali to attend the 10th World Water Forum at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Business
Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany
Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.
Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.
A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.
These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.
Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)
Business
Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala
Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments
Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.
Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.
“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.
The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.
Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.
“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.
Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.
She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”
Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.
As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.
For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.
By Ifham Nizam
Business
John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins
The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.
Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.
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