Morocco's active commitment to AI highlighted in Stockholm

The Kingdom’s commitment to being a leader in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) was highlighted at a major event organized Friday in Stockholm, on the initiative of the Kingdom’s embassy in Sweden and in collaboration with Moroccan Skills Network.

The meeting on the theme “demystifying artificial intelligence” brought together ambassadors, AI professionals and members of Moroccan Skills Network to discuss the challenges and opportunities offered by this revolutionary technology.

Speaking at the event, Morocco’s ambassador to Sweden Karim Medrek emphasized the Kingdom’s active commitment to being a leader in AI, investing in centers of excellence such as AI Movement at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), and developing training and innovation initiatives for its young talent.

Highlighting Morocco’s strategic position as an innovation crossroads between Africa, Europe and the rest of the world, the diplomat stressed the need to foster international partnerships to accelerate the adoption of AI in an ethical and inclusive manner.

“Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, we were honored to host the first African High-Level Forum on Artificial Intelligence, a major event that brought together key players from across the continent,” Medrek said, noting that the forum laid the foundations for creating a unified African strategy on AI, with a clear ambition to make AI a key lever for sustainable development.

As co-chair with the USA of the Group of Friends of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development, he added, Morocco worked towards adopting a historic resolution by the UN General Assembly highlighting the importance of AI in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Medrek also spoke of the first Global Conference on AI, held in Rabat last October, and its role in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention. The meeting reflected the pioneering vision of Morocco and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and addressed challenges and opportunities AI presents for the Convention and its States Parties.

At the end of the meeting, Medrek emphasized the crucial role played by Moroccans of the world in the development of AI in Morocco and Africa.

The Stockholm conference brought together a panel of Moroccan and Swedish AI experts who shared their visions on the rapid evolution of AI, its impact on various economic and social sectors, as well as its crucial role for sustainable development.