Aziz Akhannouch: Advocating for Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Digital Solutions for Africa
Morocco’s Commitment to Ethical Artificial Intelligence Highlighted at GITEX Africa
During the opening ceremony of GITEX Africa Morocco, held in Marrakech under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to an ethical artificial intelligence (AI) that respects human rights and serves the common good.
In a pre-recorded video message, Mr. Akhannouch emphasized that the Kingdom is actively engaged in international forums to advocate for an inclusive, regulated, and privacy-conscious AI. He also warned against the potential pitfalls related to cybersecurity, calling for collective reflection to enhance the resilience of IT systems in the face of increasing cyberattacks.
Referring to Morocco’s position at a recent international summit on AI, the Head of Government asserted that Africa should not be seen merely as a testing ground but as a significant player capable of making decisions, producing, and innovating in technology.
Thanks to the High Guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has placed digital innovation at the core of its national transformation. The “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy, designed as a national priority, revolves around two main pillars:
- The development of a digital administration serving citizens and businesses.
- The promotion of an innovative digital economy that generates wealth and creates jobs.
Mr. Akhannouch also highlighted several concrete initiatives already launched:
- Agreements signed with major digital companies to develop human capital.
- Tailored financing mechanisms for startups.
- Strengthening offshore service offerings, particularly in high-value-added sectors.
- A regulatory framework that fosters innovation, facilitating young companies’ access to public markets.
He advocated for an ambitious, connected, and sovereign Africa in its technological development. This requires bolstering digital infrastructure, connecting rural areas to the internet, and training young people in AI and data professions. Morocco, he asserted, supports a continent that does not just endure the digital revolution but dominates it and transforms it into a development driver.
According to Akhannouch, GITEX Africa embodies the link between the present and the future, providing a strategic platform for the exchange of ideas, enhancing African cooperation, and building a sovereign, inclusive digital ecosystem that offers opportunities.
Organized by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, in collaboration with the Digital Development Agency (ADD), this event brings together governments, investors, startups, and digital leaders around a common ambition: to make digital technology a vehicle for emancipation, cooperation, and sovereignty for Africa.
