MoroccoAI conference highlights ethical AI regulation and digital sovereignty
Date: 2025-10-30
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The MoroccoAI Conference, held in collaboration with META, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding artificial intelligence, ethics, and regulation — themes central to Morocco’s growing digital transformation agenda.
Speaking
after the event, Chakib Achour, Country Chief Representative for GITEX Africa
Morocco, commended the discussions for their relevance and depth, noting their
alignment with the vision driving GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2026, scheduled for
April 7–9 in Marrakech.
Among
the key highlights was a compelling address by Minister of Industry and Trade,
Ryad Mezzour, who illustrated the importance of ethical AI regulation through
the example of connected vehicles. He posed crucial questions on responsibility
and liability in cases of accidents between intelligent, connected cars, and
the potential role of blockchain in managing insurance and compensation
processes.
Achour
described the Minister’s reflections as “visionary thinking that paves the way
for new approaches in regulating emerging technologies.” He also underscored
the growing consensus on establishing a national artificial intelligence and
sovereign cloud platform to strengthen Morocco’s digital sovereignty.
Acknowledging
Morocco’s robust institutional framework, Achour highlighted the pivotal role
of the General Directorate of Information Systems Security (DGSSI) and the
National Commission for the Control of Personal Data Protection (CNDP) in
ensuring cybersecurity and data protection under the leadership of Minister
Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni.
He
further congratulated Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and
Administrative Reform, Ghita Mezzour, for her “inspiring vision on the future
of digital and AI in Morocco,” noting her emphasis on building a balanced and
sovereign approach to artificial intelligence, inspired by models such as the
United Arab Emirates.
Achour
added that while the global AI landscape is currently dominated by the United
States and China, Africa — with Morocco at the forefront — is steadily carving
out its own identity. “Through GITEX AFRICA, Morocco continues to accelerate
the continent’s digital maturity while asserting responsible, sustainable, and
open technological sovereignty,” he said.
