ISOC Lesotho
Cybersecurity and AI Capacity Building
ISOC Lesotho · AVANI Maseru · 12 November 2025
Cybersecurity and AI Capacity Building
On 12 November 2025 at AVANI Maseru, the Internet Society Lesotho Chapter hosted the first of a series of AI and cybersecurity capacity-building workshops, bringing together Parliamentarians, Military, Police, and Legal Experts.
The primary objective was to build a foundational understanding of the transformative potential and profound threats posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the cybersecurity domain. The sessions provided a crucial platform for cross-sectoral dialogue, emphasizing the need for collaborative policy, strategic doctrine, and legal frameworks. Key takeaways include the recognition of AI as a dual-use technology, the critical importance of securing national digital infrastructure, and the urgent need to address the ethical and legal implications of autonomous systems. The workshop concluded with a set of actionable recommendations for legislative, operational, and legal communities.
Key Findings and Takeaways
Cross-Sectoral Awareness Gap
A clear need was identified for a common lexicon and understanding of AI risks and opportunities among policymakers, operators, and legal experts.
Vulnerability of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)
There was unanimous concern about the vulnerability of power, water, and financial systems to AI-augmented cyberattacks.
The Threat of AI-Enabled Disinformation
Participants recognized deepfakes and bot networks as a primary threat to social cohesion and democratic processes, requiring new countermeasures beyond traditional media regulation.
Legal and Regulatory Lag
The current legal framework is ill-equipped to handle issues of algorithmic bias and other negative effects of AI, such as hallucination. A proactive, rather than reactive, legislative approach is needed.
Imperative for Collaboration
The scenario exercise underscored that siloed responses are ineffective. A whole-of-nation approach, integrating intelligence, operational, and legal perspectives, is critical for resilience.
Recommendations
For Parliamentarians
Expedite Legislation
Prioritize the drafting and passage of a national AI Strategy with a dedicated pillar on security and ethics.
Oversight and Funding
Establish parliamentary oversight mechanisms and secure funding for national cybersecurity and AI-readiness initiatives.
Public Awareness
Champion public awareness campaigns on digital literacy and the threats of disinformation.
For Military and Defence Establishments
Doctrine Development
Develop a vision and integrate formal doctrine for the use of AI in defence and cyber operations.
Talent and Training
Invest in recruiting and training a new generation of "AI-savvy" personnel and conduct regular cross-branch exercises.
Supply Chain Security
Mandate strict security standards for AI systems and components integrated into defence networks.
For Police and Law Enforcement
Capacity Building
Equip cybercrime units with advanced tools and training to investigate AI-facilitated crimes.
Ethical Guidelines
Develop and publish strict ethical guidelines for the use of predictive policing and facial recognition technologies to maintain public trust.
National Cooperation
Strengthen formal channels for information sharing on cyber threats with national cybersecurity agencies and the military.
For the Legal Community
Expedite Legislation
Expedite passage of the Lesotho Computer Crimes and Cybersecurity Bill.
Professional Development
Introduce mandatory continuing legal education on technology law, AI, and cybersecurity for judges and prosecutors.
International Law Engagement
Actively contribute to international forums developing norms and laws for state behavior in cyberspace and AI.
The workshop successfully achieved its goal of raising awareness and initiating a critical cross-sectoral dialogue on AI and cybersecurity. The engaged participation from all stakeholder groups demonstrated a shared understanding of the high stakes involved. The path forward requires sustained effort, strategic investment, and a commitment to collaboration.