Tech for Impact
Tech for Impact
AI is changing how young people learn, work, create and participate in society. This programme focuses not only on using tools, but on judgment, responsibility, future skills and meaningful application.
Mission
To prepare young people to enter the workplace hand-in-hand with AI, and know how to use it, rather than being held back by a lack of AI knowledge.
Vision
To help young people build practical AI skills, think critically about technology, and apply digital tools responsibly in study, work and community life.
Why Tech for Impact?
Tech for Impact is a 3-module blended learning program designed to empower youth, educators, and community leaders to harness technology — from AI to IoT — for real-world change.
The program highlights three modular learning pathways (AI, IoT, Digital Transformation), a hybrid delivery (online + in-person workshops), project-based learning with real community applications, three certification levels, is led by multidisciplinary facilitators and mentors, and is supported by IYAP and partner institutions
Certificate Levels
• Level 1 – Foundation Certificate: AI Basics (4–6 weeks)
• Level 2 – Applied Certificate: IoT for Communities (6–8 weeks)
• Level 3 – Professional Certificate: Digital Transformation for Youth Impact (8–10 weeks)
Participants completing all three modules and the capstone earn the Professional Certificate in Tech for Impact.
Program Phases
Batch 1 - Introduction to AI
Scholarship-based youth initiative for AI educaiton
Duration: 6 Weeks
The "Tech for Impact" initiative is a scholarship-based, competitive learning experience designed to empower future leaders from multiple countries. The program follows a three-level progression model:
Level 1: AI Basics (Foundational knowledge and core skills)
Level 2: Intermediate AI (Scholarship-based selection for high performers)
Level 3: Master Level AI (Advanced training with industry experts)
Learning Objectives:
- Define AI and distinguish between different AI system types
- Identify real-world AI applications across industries
- Explain basic machine learning and neural network concepts
- Recognize AI ethics and bias considerations
- Evaluate AI's impact on society and employment
- Use basic AI tools for simple tasks
Key Activities
Impact
Develop skills in AI literacy and ethics
Batch 2 - AI for Impact
AI Awareness and Literacy for Beginners
Duration: 6 Weeks
Batch 2 is a six-week, beginner-friendly programme targeting 18-35 year olds, and is designed to take participants from initial AI awareness through to practical productivity, ethical literacy, and real-world community impact. Sessions are delivered live, with structured post-activities and LinkedIn reflection requirements reinforcing every learning outcome.
By completion, participants should be able to explain common AI tools and their limits; build and demonstrate a two-tool workflow; critique an AI output using independent evidence; improve one career or communication artifact; and deliver an accessible, responsible AI awareness activity.
The three programme pillars:
01 Practical Application - Compare accessible AI tools; write and improve prompts; design simple, repeatable workflows for learning, research and work.
02 Employability - Apply AI thoughtfully to career planning, CVs, professional profiles, presentations and content, without inventing credentials.
03 Ethics and Community - Verify claims and sources; assess bias, privacy and deepfakes; communicate useful AI literacy to a real audience.
Learn → experiment → apply → verify → share
Key Activities
Impact
Participants will complete their Community Outreach Action Project and receive their Certificate of Completion
Program Facilitators
Meet the Tech for Impact Program Facilitators!
Sampath Thrimavithana
Program Facilitator
Sampath Thrimavithana is a seasoned C-suite HR Tech Strategist with 25+ years of global experience driving people transformation, talent development, and HR innovation across the technology sector.
Dhananjaya Dissanayake
Program Facilitator
Dhananjaya Dissanayake is a Data Engineer and AI Specialist with a strong foundation in building scalable data pipelines, data warehouses, and BI solutions on cloud platforms like Azure and GCP. He has Proven expertise in the full data lifecycle, from data integration and transformation using tools like Fabric and SSIS to creating impactful visualizations in Power BI.
Chamodi Rathnasinghe
Program Facilitator
Chamodi Rathnasinghe is a Senior Consultant and Tech Lead in AI & Data at Ernst & Young Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) – Sri Lanka, with nearly 10 years of industry experience at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data engineering, and enterprise software development. Chamodi has led and contributed to initiatives in AI, data engineering, analytics, and generative design—developing, architecting, and delivering scalable data and AI-powered solutions across sectors including aviation, finance, insurance, life sciences, and manufacturing in Sri Lanka, the APAC region, the US, and the UK.