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Highlights from the Youth AI Summit Sri Lanka 2026

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Highlights from the Youth AI Summit Sri Lanka 2026

The Youth AI Summit Sri Lanka 2026 was successfully held (22nd May), bringing together students, academics, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and young innovators for an inspiring and engaging day dedicated to exploring the future of Artificial Intelligence. The summit featured insightful panel discussions, hands-on AI workshops, startup success stories, innovation showcases, and meaningful networking opportunities with leading professionals in the AI ecosystem. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude and special appreciation to Mr. Gowri Shankar Sivabala, Founder of AIQUAINT and Organizer of the Youth AI Summit, for his visionary leadership, dedication, and unwavering support in making this impactful event a remarkable success. We also sincerely thank Mr. Anojan Kaneshathas, Founder and CEO of APPTIMUS, for joining the summit as a guest speaker and delivering an insightful session on “Building an AI Venture – A to Z.” His expertise, entrepreneurial journey, and practical insights greatly inspired our students and aspiring innovators. Our sincere appreciation is also extended to Mr. Parimalan Eswaran, Founder of EPR Groupers, for sharing valuable industry knowledge and real-world perspectives with participants in the domain of AI. 

A key highlight of the summit was the thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Are We Using AI the Way We Should?”, moderated by Mr. Gowri Shankar Sivabala, Founder of AIQUAINT. The panel featured distinguished speakers including Mr. Anojan Kaneshathas, Founder and CEO of APPTIMUS, Mr. Krishnakishore, Youth AI Ambassador, Dr. Dinusha Vatsalan, Senior Lecturer at SLIIT Northern UNI, and Mr. Thenushan Sridharan, a student of SLIIT Northern UNI, who shared their perspectives on the ethical, practical, and future implications of Artificial Intelligence. 

The summit also showcased the Student AI Startup Journey presented by Ms. Rajaratnam Vaisnavi, a student of SLIIT Northern UNI, highlighting the innovative potential and entrepreneurial spirit among young learners. Through engaging sessions, practical workshops, and inspiring discussions, the Youth AI Summit Sri Lanka 2026 successfully fostered knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation among participants. 

A heartfelt thank you is extended to all speakers, guests, students, partners, and participants whose valuable contributions made the summit a resounding success. Together, we continue to shape a smarter, more innovative, and AI-driven future. 

 

Founder and Chairman

Introducing the visionary entrepreneur, Mr. Indy Pathmanadan, affectionately known as Mr. Indy, a driving force in the Bath Furniture and Modular Kitchen industries. With over 30 years of expertise, Mr.Indy’s journey is one of extraordinary accomplishments and relentless pursuit of excellence.

A graduate in engineering from the prestigious University of Waterloo, Ontario, Mr. Indy’s entrepreneurial journey began as a Coop student in his Canadian garage. From humble beginnings, he transformed MagickWoods into a global powerhouse with operations spanning across North America and Asia. Today, MagickWoods stands tall with an impressive presence in renowned retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards. Mr. Indy’s bold vision includes establishing a strong domestic presence in the USA, facilitating the transformation from China to Aurora. His innovative approach involves forging exclusive partnerships with retailers, creating bespoke brands tailored to their discerning customer base.

With an unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled quality, Mr. Indy is a firm believer in the digital economy. His passion for enhancing the customer experience led him to pioneer the use of cuttingedge 3D and augmented reality technologies in kitchen design, revolutionising the industry. Demonstrating his forward-thinking mindset, Mr. Indy recently unveiled Magickhome.com, an exceptional ecommerce platform that offers direct-to-consumer digital sales channels, further expanding his reach and impact. Notably, he holds a patent for his groundbreaking invention, the Bath weighing scale product, exemplifying his dedication to innovation.

Mr. Indy’s exceptional contributions have earned him a plethora of accolades. From prestigious design awards for his innovative creations at Bath Furniture to receiving the esteemed Young Entrepreneur Award from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, his outstanding achievements have been recognised on numerous occasions. Additionally, his remarkable export performance and job creation efforts have garnered accolades from the Government of India, solidifying his reputation as an industry trailblazer. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavours, Mr. Indy actively engages in social causes close to his heart. As the co-founder of CanTYD, a non-profit organisation focused on youth development in Canada, he channels his passion for empowering the younger generation. Furthermore, he dedicated four years of his life to serving on the Southeast Asian Consultative Committee of the Metropolitan Toronto Police, striving to create a safer community for all.

As a proud parent of three children, Mr. Indy finds solace in the embrace of nature. Whether it’s the thrill of running, the serenity of hiking, the pursuit of adventure through hunting, or the freedom of cycling amidst the majestic Rocky Mountains, he cherishes the moments that rejuvenate his spirit. Mr. Indrakumar Pathmanadan, the epitome of entrepreneurial brilliance, continues to redefine industry standards through his remarkable achievements. Join us at our university as we draw inspiration from Mr.Indy’s journey, fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and unwavering determination.

Founder and Chairman

Introducing the visionary entrepreneur, Mr. Indy Pathmanadan, affectionately known as Mr. Indy, a driving force in the Bath Furniture and Modular Kitchen industries. With over 30 years of expertise, Mr.Indy’s journey is one of extraordinary accomplishments and relentless pursuit of excellence.

A graduate in engineering from the prestigious University of Waterloo, Ontario, Mr. Indy’s entrepreneurial journey began as a Coop student in his Canadian garage. From humble beginnings, he transformed MagickWoods into a global powerhouse with operations spanning across North America and Asia. Today, MagickWoods stands tall with an impressive presence in renowned retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards. Mr. Indy’s bold vision includes establishing a strong domestic presence in the USA, facilitating the transformation from China to Aurora. His innovative approach involves forging exclusive partnerships with retailers, creating bespoke brands tailored to their discerning customer base.

With an unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled quality, Mr. Indy is a firm believer in the digital economy. His passion for enhancing the customer experience led him to pioneer the use of cuttingedge 3D and augmented reality technologies in kitchen design, revolutionising the industry. Demonstrating his forward-thinking mindset, Mr. Indy recently unveiled Magickhome.com, an exceptional ecommerce platform that offers direct-to-consumer digital sales channels, further expanding his reach and impact. Notably, he holds a patent for his groundbreaking invention, the Bath weighing scale product, exemplifying his dedication to innovation.

Mr. Indy’s exceptional contributions have earned him a plethora of accolades. From prestigious design awards for his innovative creations at Bath Furniture to receiving the esteemed Young Entrepreneur Award from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, his outstanding achievements have been recognised on numerous occasions. Additionally, his remarkable export performance and job creation efforts have garnered accolades from the Government of India, solidifying his reputation as an industry trailblazer. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavours, Mr. Indy actively engages in social causes close to his heart. As the co-founder of CanTYD, a non-profit organisation focused on youth development in Canada, he channels his passion for empowering the younger generation. Furthermore, he dedicated four years of his life to serving on the Southeast Asian Consultative Committee of the Metropolitan Toronto Police, striving to create a safer community for all.

As a proud parent of three children, Mr. Indy finds solace in the embrace of nature. Whether it’s the thrill of running, the serenity of hiking, the pursuit of adventure through hunting, or the freedom of cycling amidst the majestic Rocky Mountains, he cherishes the moments that rejuvenate his spirit. Mr. Indrakumar Pathmanadan, the epitome of entrepreneurial brilliance, continues to redefine industry standards through his remarkable achievements. Join us at our university as we draw inspiration from Mr.Indy’s journey, fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and unwavering determination.