Lesotho Becomes First Country to Implement UN AI Master Plan

Lesotho has moved into the implementation phase of a United Nations master plan for artificial intelligence, becoming the first country in the world to use the UN blueprint, Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane said.

The country has begun Phase One of its National Compute Roadmap, covering 2026 to 2029, after completing the planning stage of its AI programme.

Matekane said Lesotho tested the UN blueprint after first assessing its readiness for artificial intelligence. The assessment examined the country’s computing capacity, data centres, internet connectivity, skills and financing requirements.

The work was carried out over more than a year by the Ministry of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation under Minister Nthati Moorosi.

The prime minister said the process had shown that the digital divide was increasingly about more than internet access, with countries also needing computing power, data and skills to develop and control AI.

“Lesotho already has three digital policies, a government data centre and a Chief Digital Officer. We know what we need,” Matekane said.

Lesotho intends to develop AI infrastructure around its own resources and requirements rather than replicate approaches used by developed countries.

“We will build what fits our resources and our needs. Infrastructure must follow demand,” he said.

Matekane also said digital infrastructure investment should result in tangible improvements in agriculture, health, education, water and public services.

He stressed that national ownership would be central to the programme. While Lesotho welcomes development partners, he said Basotho must own the process.

Matekane made the announcement in New York while addressing world leaders at the second UN Digital Cooperation Day, held on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event was organised by the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies.

Moorosi also addressed the meeting, presenting Lesotho’s AI development efforts to ministers from other countries.

Source: FSX Business News