Dr Katleho Mokoena, (PhD)

Academic | Researcher

theology • ethics • technology • society

About

Dr. Katleho Mokoena is currently an Adjunct Academic in the Discipline of Theological Ethics, Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology at the University of South Africa. He completed his PhD studies at the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Theology and Religion on Ubuntu ethics and emerging technologies (i.e. AI) in the African context. Dr Mokoena has experience in digital and AI policy research and analysis through his involvement with research at the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), All Tech is Human, and Research ICT Africa. His prior experience includes postdoctoral research at Wits University and Stellenbosch University respectively, lecturing the University of South Africa, and teaching assistant at the University of Pretoria. He has presented research in local and international conferences and workshops including the BRICS Young Scientists Forum and G7/UNDP Global AI Hub for Sustainable Development. He has published several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and reviews articles for several academic journals.

Recent Publications

  • Mokoena, K 2025, ‘Twofold crises: African theological pedagogy and technology’, in S Weber, B Norheim & I Nell (eds.), Theological pedagogies: Reflections on person, place, process and practices in teaching and learning theology in times of crisis, HTS Religion & Society Series, vol. 19, AOSIS Books, Cape Town, pp. 13–25.

  • Mokoena, K. (2025). Transcendence in African spirituality and the techno-utopia. Practical Theology, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/1756073X.2025.2477336

  • Mokoena, K. (2024). A holistic ubuntu artificial intelligence ethics approach in South Africa. Verbum et Ecclesia, 45(1), 8 pages. doi:https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v45i1.3100

  • Mokoena, K. (2024) ‘Ubuntu leadership in the technological age’, in Swartz, S., De Kock, T. and Hoppers, C.A. (eds.) Transformative Leadership in African contexts: Strategies for social change. Cape Town: HSRC Press, pp. 380-394.

  • Mokoena, K. (2023) ‘The role of the Black church in closing the digital divide’, in Solomons, D. and Baron, E. (eds.) Liberating Black Theology: Emerging South African Voices. Stellenbosch: African Sun Press.

  • Mokoena, K. K., 2022, ‘Prophetic Witness in Cyberspace during Pandemics’, Scriptura: Journal for Biblical, Theological and Contextual Hermeneutic Vol 121 No (1) https://doi.org/10.7833/121-1-2090

research contributions

  • 2025 – NIFEA Consultation • Statement on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Impacts on Global Inequality and Faith-rooted Responses

  • 2025 – T20 South Africa • Statement of Recommendations to the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) from African Think Tanks

  • 2023 – Research ICT Africa • Diversity and Gender Equality in AI in sub-Saharan Africa

  • 2023 – All Tech Is Human • Responsible Tech Guide

  • 2023 – Centre for AI and Data Policy • Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index

conferences and seminars

  • 2025 NIFEA Consultation on 4IR and AI, Seoul, South Korea Unmasking AI in Africa: A call for algorithmic Justice

  • 2025 AFRETEC webinar series “Breaking Barriers Through Technology” (online) Ubuntu ethics: A holistic approach to AI policy in Africa

  • 2025 African Development Bank (AfDB), Excellence in Digital Governance Short Course (online) Frontier Technologies and Governance Challenges

  • 2025 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Academy, Excellence in Digital Governance Short Course, Rosebank Johannesburg Automated Decision Making in Government: Algorithmic Accountability for Mitigating Risks

  • 2025 Southern African Society of Pentecostal Studies, North-West University: Keynote Address Faith and Technology.

  • 2025 Society of Practical Theology in South Africa, North-West University: Keynote Address Ubuntu ethics in the age of homo digitalis

  • 2024 Abantu Dialogues, University of South Africa: Keynote response Ubuntu and AI

  • 2024 International Association of Mission Studies, Stellenbosch University: Mission from the margins: Unmasking technology as power

  • 2024 Philosophy, Ethics, and the Future for African Values (PEFAV) Conference, Online: Ubuntu ethics: Rethinking AI and the environment

  • 2024 Department of Practical Theology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (Online): Decolonising Artificial Intelligence

  • 2024 G7/United Nations Development Programme (Online): Global AI Hub for Sustainable Development

  • 2024 College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa (Online): AI and Assessment in Higher Education

  • 2023 Empowering Learners in AI Global Online Conference: African Perspectives on Empowering Students' Learning through AI: Opportunities & Challenges

  • 2023 BRICS Young Scientists Forum (Gqeberha, Eastern Cape): AI and future of Higher Education in South Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

  • 2023 Global Network for Digital Theology (Online): “Testing the Spirits” in the Age of Deepfakes: Discerning Digital Prophetic Communication

  • 2022 Global Network of Public Theology (Brazil, South America): Black Twitter and the Black experience in the South African digital culture

  • 2022 Transformative Leadership in African contexts (Zanzibar, Tanzania): Ubuntu leadership in the technological age

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