Artificial Intelligence: Morocco Advocates for a «Balanced Strategy»

The development of artificial intelligence tools should be done by adopting an approach equidistant between the requirement of sovereignty and the importance of interoperability, affirmed, on Tuesday in Washington, the Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni.

Morocco favors a hybrid approach, «where states maintain control of their critical infrastructure and sensitive data, while participating in an open, collaborative, and secure AI ecosystem », emphasized Ms. Seghrouchni, who participated in a panel at the Global Digital Summit (March 18-19) at the World Bank headquarters, in the presence of the Moroccan Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani.

Morocco, explained the minister, aspires to adopt a «balanced strategy» that combines the advantages of global AI systems with the development of local and sovereign capabilities. She is convinced that this approach ensures AI serves all citizens «in a safe, ethical, and inclusive manner».

Recalling Morocco’s advances in AI-related infrastructure, Ms. Seghrouchni noted that Morocco established, since 2020, the largest data center in Africa, with a capacity of 3.1 petaflops.

Other data centers will soon be set up in the Kingdom, the minister announced, adding that Morocco also aspires to host one of the UN’s centers of excellence for Africa and Arab countries.

Thanks to these advances, Morocco gained 11 places in 2024 in the Global Digitalization Index, the minister indicated, adding that Morocco «aims to be, by 2030, among the first countries, if not the first African country».

Morocco’s breakthroughs in AI, she continued, give it significant visibility on the African continent and position it to become a hub for AI and digital technology at the continental level.

Ms. Seghrouchni also highlighted Morocco’s efforts internationally to promote the responsible use and development of AI.

In this regard, she cited the Kingdom’s contribution to the UNESCO Special Committee of Experts, which developed the world’s first normative instrument on AI ethics, co-sponsoring with the United States the first UN resolution on AI, or actively contributing to AI development in Africa.

Furthermore, Ms. Seghrouchni emphasized that Morocco has made digital access a national priority, noting that the Kingdom has achieved an impressive connectivity rate, thanks in particular to the adoption of proactive public policies such as the National Plan for High and Very High-Speed Development (PNHD).

Currently, the minister added, the government is working on modernizing telecommunications infrastructure, expanding network capacity, and deploying new antennas, especially in cities hosting major global events such as the Africa Cup in 2025 and the World Cup in 2030.

Held under the theme: «Digital Paths for All», this second edition of the Digital Summit brings together a panel of participants including government officials, leading experts, private sector actors, and representatives of World Bank partner organizations.

Discussions during this two-day summit focus on the future of digital development, ongoing transformation dynamics, and cutting-edge solutions to digitalization challenges.