CEO and Co-Founder of Lelapa AI Pelonomi Moiloa,joins us in our latest episode of iAfrikan Bytes.
Pelonomi’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and pivoting. Initially drawn to biomedical and electrical engineering due to her fascination with artificial organs and limbs, she found herself increasingly captivated by AI's potential within the biomedical field. Her academic pursuits took her from the University of Witwatersrand to Tohoku University in Japan, where she earned a master’s degree focusing on the intersection of bioengineering and AI.
She passionately discusses projects like Vulavula, which uses AI to enhance natural language processing for African languages, and her latest endeavor to train AI models to accurately pronounce South African names—a project close to her heart.
She also shares the exciting journey from being a scholar to becoming a CEO, a transition that’s as challenging as it is rewarding.
If you’re looking to understand how AI can be a tool for cultural empowerment and want to be inspired by a leader who’s breaking new ground, this episode is a must-listen. Pelonomi Moiloa is not just shaping the future of AI in Africa; she’s ensuring that this future is inclusive, diverse, and deeply connected to the continent’s rich heritage.
