Empowering Truth in the Age of AI; this is the bold theme guiding the Digital Innovators Summit (DIS) 2025, which officially launched its programming with a high-impact press conference held at the American Corner in Maseru on Wednesday.
In partnership with LNIG Hollard, the event set the tone for a series of transformative engagements designed to shape Lesotho’s digital future through ethical and inclusive Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration.
The press event followed the successful DIS high-level webinar hosted on June 5, where leading voices from the worlds of technology, education, policy, and innovation gathered virtually to explore how AI can be leveraged responsibly for national development.
Since its inception in 2024, the summit has laid a strong foundation for ongoing conversations and action toward an inclusive digital culture in Lesotho.
At the press briefing, DIS founder and Project Lead, Tello Leballo, outlined the vision behind this growing movement.
“The digital space is important, and with the emergence of AI, it has become even more critical to provide education and information,” Leballo said. “We saw the need to guide people, especially the youth, on how to use AI ethically and responsibly, which is why we began with a series of summits,” he added.
Leballo recounted the early support from institutions such as the American Corner, the U.S. Embassy in Maseru, and the U.S. Department of State, which helped catalyse the movement.
“After our initial engagements, my team and I sat down to reflect on our impact. While we celebrated successes, we realised the work was far from over. That is when we began engaging corporates and institutions interested in continuing the mission.”
The movement gained further traction when institutions of higher learning, including Botho University (BU), Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT), and the National University of Lesotho (NUL), opened their doors to DIS. Support soon followed from key national stakeholders like the Ministry of Communications, Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), and the Ministry of Education.
Strategic partnerships with corporate giants such as LNIG Hollard and the Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) have also helped scale the impact.
LNIG Hollard’s Head of Brand and Marketing, Liepollo Tsekoa, reinforced this call for digital readiness. “We must not fear AI, we must master it. It is reshaping how we work, live, and connect. Every industry is being impacted, so we need to ensure that no one is left behind,” Tsekoa said.
The press conference officially launched the DIS 2025 calendar of activities, which will include AI workshops, school and university outreach programs, digital storytelling initiatives, and innovation challenges. These efforts aim to make AI and digital technology more accessible to youth, entrepreneurs, and communities across the country.
Leballo stressed that 2025 will see the initiative expand to even more tertiary institutions. “AI is now relevant in every sector, and we’re continuously approached by more partners eager to be involved. But beyond skills and awareness, we’re calling on policymakers to catch up. The reality is here. We have heard from researchers, educators, and technologists, now it’s time to solidify legal frameworks to protect the public.”
Encouragingly, some progress is already visible. “We were pleased to learn that the Ministry of Communications has launched the National Digital Transformation Strategy, and an AI policy is currently in development,” said Leballo. “Even universities we engaged with last year are starting to review their curricula to include AI-focused content.”
With momentum growing and critical support from both the public and private sectors, DIS 2025 is set to be a defining force in shaping how Lesotho navigates the AI era, one built on inclusion, ethics, and opportunity for all.
A Professional Communications practitioner with a wealth of expertise in marketing, public speaking, communication and media relations. I believe in learning everyday and improving one’s personal and professional capabilities.
* A former journalist and radio host who is passionate about media and it’s impact on society.
