Global AI Bootcamp Colombo 2025 - Microsoft Sri Lanka.
Introduction
The Global AI Bootcamp Colombo 2025 was a landmark event that brought together AI professionals, students, and enthusiasts from across Sri Lanka. Held at the Microsoft Sri Lanka Office, Access Tower II, 22nd Floor, 278 Union Pl, Colombo 02000, this bootcamp was organized by Global AI Colombo, a key player in fostering AI innovation and collaboration. The event served as an incredible platform for learning, networking, and skill enhancement in the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence.
A Global Movement for AI Enthusiasts
The Global AI Bootcamp is an annual event held worldwide, providing AI practitioners and learners with hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, and discussions on cutting-edge AI technologies. The Colombo edition of 2025 was no exception, offering attendees a rich learning experience through a mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops.
Engaging Sessions and Topics
The bootcamp covered a variety of AI-related topics that explored the latest trends, best practices, and innovative applications. Renowned AI experts and industry leaders delivered insightful sessions, making this event a must-attend for AI enthusiasts in Sri Lanka.
Highlighted Topics and Speakers
Data Security Posture Management for AI – Pathum Udana
DO NOT FEAR!!! GitHub Copilot is your friend. – Fiqri Ismail
Operationalizing AI: The Core Foundations of Production-Ready AI – Sivaroopan Nirhoshan
Unlocking AI Innovation: Mastering the Model Context Protocol (MCP) with Live Demo! – Priyal Walpita
Keynote Speech: The AI Revolution: Redefining Productivity – Prabhath Mannapperuma
Agentic Workflows at Production – Isuru Alagiyawanna
Streamlining Machine Learning with MLOps – Roy Ian
Building Intelligent Apps with Azure AI Foundry – Kamal Rathnayake
Enhancing AI Reasoning with LLM-Based Multi-Agent Systems – Nirodya Pussadeniya
AI Workflows Redefined: The Role of Microsoft Semantic Kernel – Ishara Neranjana
The event also featured a panel discussion with distinguished AI thought leaders: Dr. Ruvan Weerasinghe, Dhaminda Siriwardene, Dr. Malith Jayasinghe, and Ruky De Silva, providing deep insights into the current AI landscape and future developments.
Tracks and My Experience
The bootcamp was structured into multiple tracks to cater to both beginners and advanced AI practitioners. I attended the following track sessions, each of which provided unique perspectives and valuable knowledge:
1. Gentle Introduction to AI Agents: A Beginner’s Guide – Nisal Mihiranga
This session provided an easy-to-follow introduction to AI agents, covering fundamental concepts and their practical applications. A great session for those new to AI and machine learning.
2. Streamlining Machine Learning with MLOps – Roy Ian
This session explored the intersection of Machine Learning and DevOps, focusing on MLOps best practices. Topics included CI/CD pipelines for AI models, model monitoring, and deploying ML applications at scale.
3. Unlocking AI Innovation: Mastering the Model Context Protocol (MCP) – Priyal Walpita
One of the most intriguing sessions, this talk dived into MCP (Model Context Protocol), a methodology that enhances AI innovation by structuring model interactions efficiently.
4. Art of Designing and Implementing RAG Applications – Hansa Perera
This session focused on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) applications, highlighting how they can enhance AI-powered search and recommendation systems.
5. Graph-Powered RAG: Moving Beyond Traditional Embeddings – Umair Ramzaan
An advanced session that discussed how graph-based approaches improve RAG applications, making AI models more efficient in retrieving and processing information.
6. Operationalizing AI: The Core Foundations of Production-Ready AI – Niroshan Sivaroopan
This session emphasized the challenges and solutions in making AI systems production-ready, covering aspects like scalability, monitoring, and performance optimization.
Key Takeaways and Insights
The Global AI Bootcamp Colombo 2025 was a truly transformative experience. Here are my key takeaways:
AI is evolving rapidly, and keeping up with new developments is crucial for professionals and businesses.
GitHub Copilot and AI-assisted coding are revolutionizing software development, reducing the time and effort required for coding tasks.
MLOps is essential for deploying and maintaining machine learning models effectively in real-world applications.
Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and graph-based AI models are game-changers for improving AI search and recommendation systems.
AI security and data protection are critical concerns that must be addressed as AI applications become more integrated into everyday life.
Operationalizing AI is not just about building models but ensuring scalability, reliability, and efficiency in production environments.
Final Thoughts
Attending the Global AI Bootcamp Colombo 2025 was a fantastic opportunity to learn from industry experts, connect with like-minded professionals, and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI technologies. The event reinforced the importance of AI in driving innovation and highlighted Sri Lanka’s growing role in the global AI landscape.
As AI continues to shape industries worldwide, events like this provide an invaluable platform for learning and collaboration. If you are an AI enthusiast, developer, or researcher, I highly recommend attending the next Global AI Bootcamp.
