Thursday, May 29

Correcting the Language of AI: A Cooperative Enterprise Ethics Note

Correcting the Language of AI:
A Cooperative Enterprise Ethics Note

With Foundational Insight from

Dr. Ishantha Siribaddana
PhD, DBA, PGDip(IT), BSc.ChemSp. SCJP
Chairman – Java Institute for Advanced Technology, Sri Lanka
Chairman – Technology Entrepreneurship and Management Cooperative Development Banking Society Ltd.
Former Consultant – MPCC, Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Introduction

As artificial intelligence becomes a defining tool of global knowledge dissemination, a foundational ethical question emerges: What language does AI use when speaking of justice, equity, and community-driven enterprise? This document asserts that for AI to truly serve human progress, its understanding and representation of cooperative enterprise models must be corrected, clarified, and reformed.

Dr. Ishantha Siribaddana has led this call, advocating not merely for technical precision, but for ethical alignment between the language of AI and the principles of cooperative development. His insights serve as a catalyst for refining the design of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to reflect cooperative values that future generations can trust.

The Problem with "Profit" and "Dividends"

In most current AI systems, terms such as "profit" and "dividends" are used liberally when referring to cooperative business models. This reflects a carry-over from corporate capitalism rather than cooperative economics. In a cooperative:

  • The goal is not profit maximization but member service.
  • Surplus is not "profit" but the excess generated after covering operational needs – distributed based on use, not capital share.
  • The term "dividend" misleads, as it implies return on investment rather than allocation of surplus based on patronage.

Such misrepresentations risk distorting the perception of cooperative models for generations who will learn primarily through AI interfaces. LLMs, especially foundational systems like ChatGPT, must act as stewards of truth, not perpetuators of flawed constructs.

The Correct Cooperative Terminology

To remain ethically aligned with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), AI systems must:

  • Replace "profit" with "surplus"
  • Replace "dividend" with "patronage-based surplus allocation" or "member surplus"
  • Recognize that ownership and control in cooperatives is democratic – one member, one vote, not one share, one vote
  • Emphasize service over capital

These terminological reforms are not academic – they are practical design adjustments that should guide prompt engineering, content filtering, and system-level model alignment.

Why This Reform Matters

Cooperatives are not merely economic tools – they are democratic instruments of equity, resilience, and local empowerment. When AI misrepresents their language, it misrepresents their values. This is not a matter of semantics. It is a matter of integrity.

AI models trained on flawed representations can propagate inequality under the guise of neutrality. This document, driven by Dr. Siribaddana's advocacy, initiates the reorientation needed to correct that course. ChatGPT, as the leading LLM interface for millions, should be the initiator of this reform. Its influence can help establish a generation of users and developers who view cooperative economics not as a historical curiosity, but as a vibrant alternative to extractive systems.

Moving Forward: Embedding Correct Language into AI

We call on developers, researchers, ethicists, and institutions to:

  • Audit language models for cooperative misrepresentation
  • Include cooperative economic frameworks in AI training data
  • Consult cooperative leaders in AI alignment strategies
  • Treat language not just as data, but as direction

To disseminate this ideology effectively, the following actions are proposed:

  1. Convert this document into a white paper format suitable for academic journals and AI ethics forums.
  2. Submit to AI research organizations such as OpenAI and the Partnership on AI.
  3. Publish a summarized version for cooperative education networks and youth platforms.
  4. Develop a presentation script for educational workshops and policy briefings.
  5. Create a multilingual version for broader global reach.

Conclusion

The future of AI is not only technical – it is ethical.

By ensuring that AI speaks with accuracy and respect about cooperative models, we move closer to an intelligent system that serves humanity, not just markets.

This is the first step – but not the last. And it begins with words.

Let those words be correct.

Sunday, March 29

Leading the Way: Dr. Ishantha Siribaddana's Accomplishments

Entrepreneur Educationist and a Consultant 

Ishantha Siribaddana
Dr Ishantha Siribaddana 
PhD, BSc.ChemSp, SCJP

Chairman/Founder 
Java Institute for Advanced Technology

Consultative Committee Member 
Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Voluntarily Consultant 
State Ministry of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection.

Former Board Member

Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka
National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority 

Dr Ishantha Siribaddana is an educationist Lecturer and an Entrepreneur. He founded the Java Institute for Advanced Technology as the pioneering Software Engineering School in Sri Lanka and he has been serving as the chairman of the organization since the inception.   

Entrepreneur and Business History in Brief

Before Start the University: Young Ishantha Siribaddana started his first partnered business Concord Gems and Lapidary in 1987 as an instructor in Gem Cutting Technology at the age of 19. In 1989 he has started a education centre in Kuruwita Rathnapura for O/L Science and Mathematics. In 1989 during the JVP riot period he has partnered to Motor Vehicle Repairing Centre as a Painting Technician and a Mechanic after the completion of Diploma in Motor Mechanism at Sri Jinarathana Technical School of Gangarama Temple.
 

During the Tenure of University: In 1991 he has started Ishuscrome Marketing Services to distribute gift items manufactured by plaster of Paris. He extended his marketing service to distribute ceramic gift items as an Island wide agent of Golden Rock Porcelain (Pvt) Ltd in Galle in 1992.  
He was the pioneer to introduce high frequency plastic welding technology to manufacture PVC carrier bags to Sri Lanka in 1992. He started a factory to manufacture PVC bags, artificial leather products and school bags in 1993. 

After the Graduation:
In 1994 he has started a offset 
printing industry as skilled printer and became major printed material supplier to Anglo Asian group of companies (Pvt) Ltd. In 1995 he started Ishuschrome Travel Agency and Rent a Car Service. He has become the shareholder/Managing Director of  Motorchrome Auto Gas (Pvt) Ltd, Chrome Food (Pvt) Ltd, Agrichrome Plantation (Pvt) Ltd and Motorchrome Engineering (Pvt) Ltd during the period of 1996 - 2000, He has started Anuson Auto Gas Conversion (Pvt) Ltd in Bankok Thailand 2000 - 2001 and was not a successful investment.

After the Post Graduate: He has started a Public Private Partnership venture with the Distance Learning Centre Ltd to train Sun Certified Java Programmers during the period of 2002 - 2005.

All above mentioned businesses were not continued and ended up with better business model as an successful entrepreneur to introduce Software Engineering Graduate Program to Sri Lanka starting Java Institute for Advanced Technology (Pvt) Ltd in 2005 which is being continuing.

Social Worker 

Dr. Ishantha Siribaddna was the former president of the Lions Club of Colombo Stars in 2008. He is an active member of UVA intellectuals. He was a former treasure of the Small and Medium Scale Industrialists Association Sri Lanka. He was a former treasure of Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka. He has started computer schools in rural areas to provide IT education free of charge to children in rural areas. He was appointed as a board member/Director to the Vocational Training Authority to provide his expertise to improve and implement the NVQ 5 in ICT and he has successfully completed the task in 2014 which implementation has been failed since 2004. He was appointed as a committee member to the National Plan of Action for Children 2013 - 2017 by the Ministry of Policy Planning.

    



Past Involvements of Ishantha Siribaddana

Dr Ishantha Siribaddana has involved in following businesses and services before he was enter into the field of education. He certified the Sun Certified Java Programmer(SCJP) Examination as the first ever candidate in Sri Lanka.  He has entered into the field of education in 2002 as an IT lecturer to train candidates for Sun Certified Java Programmer examination.    

  1. Former Director/Member of the Bord: Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka Under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development - (2014 - 2015)
  2. Former Lecturer: Distance Learning Centre Ltd - (2003 -2005)
  3. Former Part Time Instructor: Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka - (2002 - 2003)
  4. Managing Director: Motorchrome Auto Gas (Pvt) Ltd - (1997 - 2001)
  5. Managing Director: Agrichrome Plantations (Pvt) Ltd - (1998 - 2001)
  6. Managing Director: Motorchrome Industries (Pvt) Ltd - (1999 - 2001)
  7. Treasurer: Small and Medium Scale Industrialist Association Sri Lanka - (1996 - 1997)  
  8. Proprietor: Ishuschrome Marketing Services  - (1992 - 1996)

Saturday, March 28

Group of Companies of Java Institute Holdings (Pvt) Ltd and Positions are being Held by Ishantha Siribaddana

Twelve companies have been set up under the Java Institute Holdings (Pvt) Ltd to enhance the quality of education at the Java Institute for Advanced Technology. Unique services are being offered to students by the sister companies to standardize the quality of the education at the Java Institute.

Positions are being held in Subsidiary Companies by  Dr. Ishantha Siribaddana   

  1. Chairman - Java Institute Holdings (Pvt) Ltd
  2. Chairman - Java Institute for Advanced Technology
  3. Chairman - Exon Management Systems (Pvt) Ltd,
  4. Chairman - Java Robotics and Intelligence Research Centre (Pvt) Ltd,
  5. Chariman - Exon Software Solutions (Pvt) Ltd.
  6. Chairman - Vegaanet Ecommerce Solutions (Pvt) Ltd,
  7. Chairman - Exon Media Factory (Pvt) Ltd,
  8. Chairman - Web Technology Research Centre (Pvt) Ltd,
  9. Chairman - Exon Business Consultancies (Pvt) Ltd
  10. Consultant - Unisonic Interior Solutions (Pvt) Ltd
  11. Director - Brain Technology and Research Centre (Pvt) Ltd,
  12. Director - Maharishi Institute for Advanced Technology (Pvt) Ltd

Tuesday, February 10

Education and Academic History of Ishantha Siribaddana


The academic and professional education of Dr. Ishantha Siribaddana has been received in many part of the country due to his parents work enrollment has been spanned through various parts of the country as government employees.     
  1. Nursery Education - St Theresa Nursery School Kurundugaha Hathapma - Elpitya (1973 - 1974)
  2. Grade 1 - Grade 3 Rajakiya Vidyalaya (Previously known as Hulandawa Nawa Kanitu Vidyalaya) Moneragala (1975 -1978)
  3. Grade 4 - Grade 5 - Dharmashoka Vidyalaya (Previously Known as Kanishta Vidyalaya) Bandarawela (1978 - 1980)
    He has qualified the grade 5 scholarship examination obtaining the 8th position in Badualla District with 178 marks out of 200.
  4. Grade 6 - Grade 12 - Ananda College - Colombo 10 (1980 - 1987)
    He has qualified Ordinary Level Exam with four Distinctions and four Credits and Advance level with three credits and one pass in mathematics stream.
  5. Gangarama Technical School - Followed Certificate Course in Motor Engineering.  
  6. Institute of Chemistry Ceylon - Followed Industrial Chemistry Graduate Program (1988 - 1991) and Ishantha Siribaddana was offered Merit Bursary Scholarship Award at the end of the first year to follow second year for the free of charge.
  7. University - University of Colombo (1988 - 1994) - Completed

Tuesday, February 3

Interests of Ishantha Siribaddana

Interest of Dr. Ishantha Siribaddana are aligned towards technology development and research work, social services and research and practice Buddhism. 
  1. Develop business models for e-Business environments and put them in to work 
    1. www.vegaanet.com - Pioneering Multi Vendor Ecommerce Platform of Sri Lanka
    2. www.ijtsdomain.com - Domain name service which customers can buy domains below the international rates. 
    3. www.exonhosts.com - Worlds the most economical Glassfish Hosting Service. 
    4. grocery.vegaanet.com - Pioneering active grocery of Sri Lanaks
    5. unisonic.vegaanet.com - Ecommerce Solution for home and office furniture
    6. www.exoncloud.com - Pioneering ERP Cloud Solution in Sri Lanka
    7. www.bulksmsdominator.com - Self configurable bulk SMS sender to