Maroc Ready for AI Disruption?
- Exploring Morocco's strategic approach to Artificial Intelligence in alignment with UNESCO's ethical framework.
- The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents ethical, anthropological, economic, and social challenges globally.
- Adopted in November 2021, UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is a global initiative aimed at offering states a normative framework for AI governance while leveraging its...
Morocco Assesses AI readiness Following UNESCO Guidelines
Table of Contents
- Morocco Assesses AI readiness Following UNESCO Guidelines
- MoroccoS AI Strategy: A Deep dive into Readiness and UNESCO’s Guidelines
- Understanding Morocco’s AI Readiness
- Q1: What is Morocco’s approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
- Q2: Why is UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI significant for Morocco?
- Q3: How did Morocco assess its AI readiness?
- Q4: What are some of Morocco’s strengths in AI development?
- Q5: what are the main challenges Morocco faces in developing its AI ecosystem?
- Key Recommendations for Morocco’s AI Strategy
- Morocco’s AI Ecosystem: Strengths and Challenges
- Understanding Morocco’s AI Readiness
Exploring Morocco’s strategic approach to Artificial Intelligence in alignment with UNESCO’s ethical framework.
Addressing AI’s Ethical and Societal Challenges
The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents ethical, anthropological, economic, and social challenges globally. In response, UNESCO has developed a directive on the ethics of AI, known as the “Advice,” providing member states with a normative framework. morocco is among the first to join the pilot project to assess its AI readiness, with the results recently published.
UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI
Adopted in November 2021, UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is a global initiative aimed at offering states a normative framework for AI governance while leveraging its potential opportunities. Several countries are translating this Recommendation into their national institutional and regulatory frameworks.In March 2022, Morocco became one of the first countries to announce the official implementation of the Recommendation, establishing a national steering committee. A year later, the Kingdom joined UNESCO’s pilot project, consisting of only 4 countries, to assess its AI readiness through the “Readiness Assessment Methodology or RAM” tool.
Mapping Morocco’s AI Ecosystem
The RAM exercise used qualitative and quantitative indicators to map Morocco’s national ecosystem,evaluating the country’s AI readiness. The assessment identifies potential and strengths while highlighting areas needing improvement. The UNESCO team produced a report presenting the results of this 360° exploration of the country’s landscape across various AI-related axes. These results will enable Morocco to envision new policies on ethical AI governance and build a consensual national vision to inform the development of an AI strategy.
Digital Transformation as a Catalyst
the report highlights that Morocco, in its new development model, considers digital technology as a “véritable levier de changement et de développement…, catalyseur de transformations structurantes et à fort impact
” (“true lever of change and development…, catalyst for structuring and high-impact transformations”). With this vision, the country seeks to harness the potential of digital technologies for efficient development across all sectors. While Morocco lacks specific AI legislative frameworks, several promulgated laws can potentially apply to AI. According to the Global Cyberlaw Tracker, Morocco has implemented laws regulating electronic transactions, protecting consumer rights, ensuring data confidentiality, and combating cybercrime. The country has four laws related to cyberspace, surpassing countries like Tunisia, Nigeria, the united arab Emirates, and India.
Advancements in AI Research
Morocco’s advancements in AI include increased research, with indicators showing a rise in publications, reflecting growing interest from the Moroccan scientific community. OECD data reveals a significant increase in AI research publications in Morocco, from 89 in 2012 to 1,123 in 2022. This underscores the growing awareness of the importance of AI research in Morocco. Initiatives include the allocation of 50 million DH in 2019 to the Al Khawarizmi program, dedicated to funding AI research projects, and the announcement in 2023 by the Ministry of Higher Education of the establishment of the first national research institute dedicated to AI.
Addressing Gaps and Challenges
The assessment notes the absence of specific policies addressing AI’s environmental impacts or its use in preserving cultural heritage or indigenous languages. Encouraging research in natural language processing for local languages (dialect and Amazigh) and consolidating digital e-inclusion practices could contribute to respecting basic rights and ethical principles. The country has not quantified public spending on AI-specific research and development (R&D). Public sector R&D investments remain moderate, at about 0.75% of GDP. The Al Khawarizmi program remains the only significant AI-specific project. OECD data indicates significant progress in venture capital investments in AI between 2020 and 2023,but investment rates remain low compared to countries like Tunisia or Egypt.
Recommendations for a National AI Strategy
The report’s final section outlines 17 recommendations for concrete actions to leverage AI opportunities while mitigating risks. These recommendations cover various aspects, from regulations and institutional frameworks to investments, research and development, and capacity building. The Kingdom is advised to establish multi-stakeholder and interdisciplinary governance and revise laws to adapt to AI applications while respecting UNESCO’s ethical principles.
Key Recommendations for an AI Strategy
- Apply normative provisions for adaptation to emerging AI phenomena.
- Ensure respect for the principles of responsible AI development and use.
- Ensure monitoring and awareness to strengthen the national AI ecosystem.
- Ensure responsible development practices and accountability mechanisms in case of harm.
- Capitalize on the vision proposed by the expected “Digital strategy 2030” for accelerating AI development, deployment, and use in Morocco.
- Strengthen and consolidate open data governance.
- Ensure AI systems are fed with quality datasets contextualized and adapted to the local reality.
- Encourage and promote the development of international cooperation.
- Invest in a modern educational habitat by focusing substantial resources and adequate infrastructure and ensuring talent monitoring.
- Encourage investments in inclusive and multidisciplinary AI research and innovation.
- Improve the capabilities of all actors throughout life to strengthen confidence in AI and prepare workers for AI-induced changes.
- Stimulate and support public-private partnerships.
- Monitor the impacts and raise awareness of the risks of AI to leverage its potential for equality and equity and reduce the digital divide.
- Invest in digital health by leveraging national orientations and achievements.
- Promote use cases with high social impact.
- Implement support policies in culture and heritage and assess environmental impacts.
MoroccoS AI Strategy: A Deep dive into Readiness and UNESCO’s Guidelines
This Q&A explores Morocco’s efforts to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly, guided by UNESCO’s ethical framework. Learn about Morocco’s AI readiness assessment, key initiatives, and future plans.
Understanding Morocco’s AI Readiness
Q1: What is Morocco’s approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Morocco views AI as a critical tool for progress and is strategically aligning its AI initiatives with UNESCO’s ethical framework. The country participated in a UNESCO pilot project to assess its AI readiness, aiming to leverage AI’s potential while addressing ethical and societal challenges. Digital change is considered a “true lever of change and development” within Morocco’s new development model.
Q2: Why is UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI significant for Morocco?
UNESCO’s Recommendation provides Morocco with a normative framework for AI governance. This framework helps Morocco develop policies that promote ethical AI development and use, ensuring that AI benefits society while minimizing risks.Morocco was among the first countries to implement the Recommendation officially.
Q3: How did Morocco assess its AI readiness?
Morocco utilized UNESCO’s “Readiness Assessment methodology (RAM)” tool. This involved a complete mapping of Morocco’s AI ecosystem using qualitative and quantitative indicators. The assessment identified both strengths and areas needing betterment across various AI-related aspects. It provided a 360° view of the AI landscape in Morocco.
Q4: What are some of Morocco’s strengths in AI development?
Increased AI Research: There’s a notable increase in AI research publications from Morocco, indicating growing interest and expertise within the scientific community.
Al Khawarizmi Program: This program, with an allocation of 50 million DH, funds AI research projects.
National Research Institute for AI: The Ministry of Higher Education announced the establishment of the first national research institute dedicated to AI.
Cybersecurity Laws: Morocco has implemented several laws related to cyberspace, covering electronic transactions, consumer rights protection, data confidentiality, and cybercrime.
Q5: what are the main challenges Morocco faces in developing its AI ecosystem?
Lack of Specific AI Legislation: morocco lacks specific laws addressing AI’s environmental impacts and its use in cultural heritage preservation.
Underdeveloped NLP for Local Languages: There’s a need for more research in natural language processing (NLP) for local languages like Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and Amazigh.
limited Public Spending on AI R&D: Public sector investments in AI-specific research and development remain moderate.
Low Venture Capital investment: venture capital investments in AI are low compared to other countries in the region like Tunisia and Egypt.
Key Recommendations for Morocco’s AI Strategy
Q6: What are the key recommendations from the UNESCO report for Morocco’s AI strategy?
The report outlines 17 recommendations, including:
Establishing multi-stakeholder governance: Create an interdisciplinary governance structure for AI.
Revising Laws: Adapt existing laws to address AI applications while adhering to UNESCO’s ethical principles.
Applying normative Provisions: Adapt to emerging AI phenomena by applying normative provisions.
Ensuring Responsible AI Development: Uphold the principles of responsible AI development and deployment.
Strengthening Open Data Governance: Improve the processes for collecting, sharing, and managing open data.
Leveraging Digital Strategy 2030: Capitalize on the vision proposed by Digital Strategy 2030 to accelerate AI development.
Quality Datasets: Ensure AI systems use quality datasets contextualized to the local reality.
International Cooperation: Promote international cooperation for AI development.
Investing in Education: focus on modernizing education to nurture AI talent.
Inclusive AI Research: Encourage multidisciplinary AI research and innovation.
Capacity Building: Improve AI confidence and reskill workers for AI-related changes.
Public-Private Partnerships: Stimulate partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Monitoring AI Impacts: Raise awareness of potential AI risks and reduce the digital divide.
Digital Health Investments: Invest in digital healthcare solutions leveraging existing national strategies.
Social Impact Use Cases: Promote AI applications with high social impact.
environmental and Cultural Policies: Implement support policies for culture and heritage, assessing environmental impacts.
Morocco's AI Ecosystem: Strengths and Challenges
| Feature | Strength | Challenge |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| AI Research | Increasing publications, growing scientific interest | Limited NLP for local languages, insufficient public spending on R&D |
| Funding | Al Khawarizmi program | Low venture capital investment compared to regional peers |
| Legal Framework | Existing cybersecurity laws | Lack of specific AI legislation, especially for environmental and cultural impacts |
| Strategic Vision | Digital transformation as a key development driver | Ensuring ethical considerations are integrated into all AI initiatives |
| Institutional Support | Establishment of a national AI research institute | Developing a comprehensive multi-stakeholder governance framework |
Morocco is addressing ethical concerns by:
Adhering to UNESCO’s ethical principles for AI governance.
Revising existing laws to adapt to AI applications responsibly.
Promoting responsible development practices and accountability mechanisms.
Monitoring the impacts of AI to mitigate risks and reduce the digital divide.
Q8: What steps is Morocco taking to prepare its workforce for AI-induced changes?
Morocco aims to improve the capabilities of its workforce by:
Investing in modern education to ensure a skilled talent pool.
Improving AI confidence.
Preparing workers for AI-related job market shifts.
Q9: What role do public-private partnerships play in Morocco’s AI strategy?
Public-private partnerships are crucial for Morocco,as they help:
Stimulate investments in AI research and development.
Support the deployment of AI solutions across various sectors.
Foster innovation and economic growth.
Morocco is focused on promoting AI use cases with high social impact, including:
Investing in digital health to improve healthcare services.
Implementing support policies for culture and heritage preservation.
* Assessing the environmental impacts of AI technologies.