Dr Maletsabisa Molapo

Executive for Research and Innovation: Telkom

 In her career of over 15 years in technology research and engineering, Dr Molapo has worked as a computer systems and networks engineer focusing on telephony in telecommunications; a Computer Science lecturer; a research scientist across a range of topics including digital health, human computer interaction (HCI), user experience (UX), artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP), and human-centred AI. In recent years, she has led research teams and R&D departments in various roles: as a technical lead for NLP, a research manager for AI and Quantum Computing, and presently as the head of Telkom’s research unit responsible for the research and innovation strategy of the Telkom Group, heading research teams working on telecommunications technologies and digital solutions for various industries. She holds a PhD and MSc in Computer Science from the University of Cape Town (UCT), and a B.Eng in Computer Systems and Engineering from the National University of Lesotho (NUL). Prior to joining Telkom, her previous roles were held IBM Research, Praekelt.org, UCT, NUL, and Vodacom Lesotho.