Casablanca Smart City 2026: Artificial Intelligence at the Heart of Urban Transformation
Artificial Intelligence: A Key Driver for the City of Tomorrow
Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming an essential lever for the cities of the future. At the 10th edition of Casablanca Smart City, institutional leaders, international experts, researchers, and economic stakeholders gathered to highlight the strategic role of digital technologies in accelerating urban transformation and fostering the emergence of smarter, more sustainable, and citizen-centered urban models.
Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the event showcased the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and digital solutions to enhance urban governance, modernize public services, and improve the attractiveness of regions.
Among the notable speakers, Singapore’s Minister of Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, praised Morocco’s advancements in innovation and technology. He particularly emphasized the potential of Casablanca and its youth, asserting that the metropolis possesses the necessary assets to become a major player in innovation across Africa.
The Singaporean official also highlighted the importance of international exchanges and the sharing of expertise to develop digital solutions that can enhance citizens’ quality of life and address contemporary social challenges.
On his part, Sebastian Sharma, the Director of Economic Development at the New York City Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, spotlighted the strong ties between Casablanca and New York, along with the growing positioning of the Moroccan metropolis as an African hub for innovation and digital transformation.
He notably commended the vibrancy of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and the emergence of startups that are developing innovative solutions in strategic sectors such as finance, healthcare, and higher education.
Hassan II University of Casablanca also underscored its commitment to supporting this transformation. Its Vice President, Anas Kettani, emphasized the essential role of higher education in training skills related to artificial intelligence, innovation, and digital technologies to meet the growing needs of smart cities.
This edition of Casablanca Smart City thus reaffirms the metropolis’s ambition to solidify its status as a leading African platform in the areas of urban intelligence, territorial innovation, and sustainable development, against a global backdrop marked by the accelerating digital transition.
