2023-06-16 21:43:00
In a world constantly reshaped by Artificial Intelligence, Morocco is positioned at the intersection between the immense potential of this revolutionary technology and the unprecedented challenges it raises. In order to better understand this technological turning point, Mohammed Drissi Melyani reveals the Agency’s vision for carrying out this digital transition, while anticipating the potential risks that accompany it.
Challenge: How do you interpret the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence on the world stage?
Mohammed Driss Melyani : Artificial intelligence (AI) represents the vanguard of global technological innovation. Nations around the world recognize its unlimited potential and are investing heavily in the research, development, and implementation of this revolutionary technology. It is crucial to understand that AI, through its decisive impact on economic activities, opens the door to a myriad of opportunities and offers colossal advantages in a multitude of sectors. However, like any transformative force, it raises a challenge: finding the balance between innovation and the potential risks it might pose to our society. Many researches predict that AI will have a significant impact on the economy, the structure of labor markets globally, and on the evolution of the GDP of nations. Indeed, in 2017, the specific contribution of AI to global GDP between 2018 and 2030 was estimated at $15,700 billion. Nevertheless, this constantly evolving global technological advance might widen the gaps between countries, companies and workers if the right public policies are not implemented. The importance of AI cannot be underestimated. It is therefore vital to anticipate and prepare our country for the major transformations that will result from the introduction of AI in various spheres of activity.
Challenge: Where does Morocco stand in this new digital era and how does the Digital Development Agency (ADD) align its vision in the face of this impressive breakthrough in artificial intelligence?
M.D.M. : Morocco, attentive to global trends in artificial intelligence, plays the role of a conscientious observer. The Digital Development Agency (ADD) scrupulously monitors the preparation of countries for the integration of AI. Our country, with its skilled human capital, strong digital infrastructure and innovative entrepreneurship, is well placed to make significant advances in this area. However, the country faces a major challenge, namely, the development of an effective action plan to promote the use of artificial intelligence. Fortunately, the ADD is already at work. The creation of a Moroccan pilot ecosystem around AI is one of the main objectives of its roadmap.
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With this in mind, in 2019 we launched the Al Khawarizmi program, in partnership with several ministries and the CNRST, to encourage applied research in the fields of AI and big data. With 45 projects from 15 Moroccan research institutions, the areas of intervention are diverse and cover a wide range of sectors. But Al Khawarizmi is not limited to research. It also aspires to train a large number of researchers and doctoral students, thus helping to provide Morocco with qualified human capital for the development of its AI ecosystem. That said, the optimal exploitation of AI requires reliable data. The ADD has taken initiatives to ensure their availability, by mobilizing public and private actors and by launching a new version of the national open data portal (Open Data). However, the emergence of AI raises important ethical questions. Aware of these issues, Morocco has aligned its policy with UNESCO recommendations on AI ethics and has established a national ethics commission in partnership with various government bodies, the CNRST, the CNDP, the CGEM and the ADD.
Challenge: Tell us a bit regarding the Moukawala Raqmya platform. Apart from the diagnostic component, what solutions platform concretely offer SMEs?
M.D.M. : “Moukawala Raqmya” is an exciting initiative that we have launched with the aim of encouraging digital adoption among Moroccan businesses. It is a powerful tool that allows us to promote growth and competitiveness, and it is a key element of the “Digital SME” project. The idea behind the platform is to allow companies, regardless of their size or sector, to self-assess their digital maturity. We think this is a fantastic way to educate our very small, small and medium-sized enterprises (VSMEs) on the importance of digital transformation. We offer them a personalized action plan and recommendations, as well as value-added services, to help them in their digitalization process.
Challenge: Startups play a key role in technological innovation. How does the support for start-ups fit into ADD’s development strategy? What programs and incentives have been implemented to encourage the emergence of innovative companies?
M.D.M. : Moroccan startups are emerging as key players in technological innovation. In order to facilitate their growth, the ADD has set up specific support at the heart of its development strategy, giving rise to stimulating programs intended to encourage the flowering of these innovative companies. In the dynamics of the 4.0 digital revolution that began in the early 2000s, Morocco has been able to be proactive, deploying a whole series of initiatives, whether governmental or private, with a view to creating an environment favorable to the flourishing of digital. The country has thus erected adequate structures to support entrepreneurs in their start-up phase, ranging from technoparks to universities, including banks and financial institutions. This policy has generated an entrepreneurial dynamic throughout the Moroccan territory, thus releasing the creativity and the spirit of innovation of the younger generations.
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Several notable initiatives have been launched to support and accompany this entrepreneurial dynamism, such as the Startuphub.ma platform, which has made it possible to award the “Young Innovative Company in New Technologies” label to more than 350 startups until March 2023. The program “Boost with Facebook”, for its part, has helped more than 3,000 Moroccan companies to overcome the COVID crisis by developing their digital skills.
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