Keypoints:
- Finance minister denies AI authored speech section
- Disputed paragraph ‘did not exist’ in official text
- Government urges constructive use of AI
LESOTHO’S Finance Minister Retselisitsoe Matlanyane has rejected claims circulating online that artificial intelligence (AI) was used to draft part of her national budget speech, insisting the disputed section never appeared in the address she delivered to parliament earlier this week.
Speaking at a post-budget event on Thursday, Matlanyane said allegations centred on a supposed paragraph that was not included in the official version of the speech presented to lawmakers.
‘The official document is here, it does not have this paragraph 108,’ she said, responding to questions following the budget presentation.
The claims gained traction on social media shortly after the speech, sparking debate about the growing influence of AI tools in government communication and policymaking across Africa.
Claims first raised by staff
According to the minister, concerns about the alleged AI-generated text initially came from within her own team before spreading publicly. She explained that the issue surfaced while she was still seated in parliament.
‘In parliament, a minister in the Prime Minister’s office sitting next to me gives me a note that says “your staff say they see a line in paragraph 108 that is strange”,’ she said. ‘I look at it, my paragraph 108 doesn’t say that rubbish.’
Matlanyane stressed that the speech she read matched the approved budget document and dismissed suggestions that artificial intelligence tools had been used to produce questionable content.
The episode reflects wider global anxieties about misinformation and authorship as generative AI technologies become increasingly embedded in professional workflows, including political communications.
Experienced economist leading reforms
Matlanyane has served as Lesotho’s finance minister since 2022, following a distinguished career in economic policy and central banking. A former economics lecturer, she previously spent nine years as governor of the Central Bank of Lesotho, becoming the first woman to hold the role.
Her appointment marked a significant moment for economic leadership in the country, where fiscal stability and institutional reform remain central priorities.
Analysts say controversies involving technology and governance are becoming more common as African governments accelerate digital transformation initiatives and modernise public administration systems.
Despite dismissing allegations tied to her speech, Matlanyane emphasised that artificial intelligence should be embraced responsibly rather than feared.
‘Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. What is important is how we choose to use it,’ she said, according to the Lesotho News Agency. ‘It should complement human effort, not replace critical thinking and ethical responsibility.’
She encouraged citizens to approach AI with an open mind, describing it as a tool capable of supporting socio-economic transformation if applied thoughtfully.
The minister urged stakeholders across both public and private sectors to collaborate in harnessing AI to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability in service delivery.
She said coordinated efforts could help strengthen governance systems while ensuring technological innovation supports inclusive growth.
Observers note that while the controversy appears rooted in a misunderstanding over a disputed paragraph, it has triggered a broader national conversation about technology, trust and political communication in Lesotho.
As artificial intelligence adoption expands globally, African leaders are increasingly expected to clarify how such tools are used — or not used — in official processes. The debate in Lesotho underscores how rapidly evolving technology is reshaping expectations around transparency and credibility in public life.
