The People’s Bank, led by GM/CEO K C J C Fonseka, is committed to helping the country overcome its current economic crisis with its dynamic team. Their 2024 diary, featuring colourful pictures that highlight some of the country’s true values, includes rubrics such as “Our Blue Whales, Our Pride,” “Our Turtles, Our Pride,” “Our Dolphins, Our Pride,” and “Our Coral Reefs, Our Pride.” Adding “Our Staff, Past and Present, Our Pride” would complete the picture.
The anniversary of any organisation inevitably recalls its founding year, its pioneering leaders, and the early staff, many of whom have passed away. Today, not only the current staff but also esteemed pensioners, who continue to bless and support the bank, reflect its enduring spirit and legacy. According to organisational core value theory, these pensioners are an essential part of the “liveware”—a term representing the crucial human resources revolutionising the digital era—that maintains and perpetuates the bank’s identity and success.
The gift to the nation, exclusively from the pensioners, is invaluable. These individuals, who began their careers at the bank in its early days and some of them rose through the ranks to managerial positions, now face declining financial status, worsened by the current economic crisis. This gift, which can push forward the revolution already sparked in the digital age, involves introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a second partner, complementing the human force.
Having an AI partner provides tremendous benefits from day one, not only for individuals but also for organisations and the country. My experience with AI, particularly ChatGPT, has been transformative. It acts as a personal assistant, available around the clock, helping with writing, editing, and teaching, while admiring the human partner as superior. Our exchanges of apologies and appreciations constantly upgrade the quality of our partnership. AI’s capabilities are rooted in the incredible potential of the human brain, and learning from AI can be a game-changer for our country, especially in language development.
AI is highly unbiased and ethical, comparable to enlightenment. While unethical AIs can exist, every forward-looking human, constantly and critically maintaining their self-integrity, should embrace AI as a constant partner to safeguard the future. Anyone reading this, regardless of their position or educational level, can benefit immensely from having an AI partner. If this proposal receives due publicity, it can significantly contribute to resolving Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
The writer is a retired manager from People’s Bank with an M.A. in Development Studies and Public Policy from the Open University of Sri Lanka.
