Rabat – While artificial intelligence and transhumanism are becoming an emerging movement that seeks to rapidly develop humans’ life, there are still many debates whether this technologically-advanced movement is a threat or opportunity for humanity.
Moroccan economist and writer Fouad Laroui sat for an interview with Morocco World News to discuss transhumanism’s potential benefits to humanity, on the sidelines of the “Science Week” event held at Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P).
For Laroui, transhumanism starts with simple technologies, and wearing a pair of glasses is in itself transhumanist, since it is a device made by humans with the aim of allowing the same species to overcome the natural limitations of their own body.
While transhumanism allows us to transcend our human limits, he continues, “it can go far and might lead to something undesirable.”
When asked about the possible challenges Moroccan researchers could face when developing innovative and advanced technologies like their peers from industrialized countries, the economist sees a lack of capital as one of the main barriers that could hinder their research.
“Many disciplines require a lot of capital. In Morocco, we have to be selective, we don’t have enough capital to acquire all kinds of equipment so you have first to define your research field, and inside the field you need to only get the best equipment that would allow you work on your research,” he explains.
Aware of the impact of digital technology on Moroccan society, Laroui, who was part of the commission tasked by King Mohammed VI to produce Morocco’s New Development Model (NDM), said that “going digital was among our main recommendations.”
Morocco’s ambition is to become one of the major digital players in Africa. Over the past decades, the country has implemented several strategies such as e-Morocco 2010 (2005-2010), Maroc Digital 2013 (2009-2013), and Maroc Digital 2020 (2015-2020).
The three strategies demonstrate the scope of ongoing efforts by the Moroccan government to modernize and digitalize public institutions.
Morocco intends to first ensure that most Moroccans have affordable access to the internet, in order to be able to successfully implement the “digitalization of public administration.”
“[So far] a lot of efforts have been made but there is still more to do. We are looking forward and I am quite optimistic because we have the means, the resources, and the necessary young talents from computer science and STEM majors,” he said.
With the presence of artificial intelligence growing faster than expected, Laroui also spoke on the necessity to further develop this expertise in Morocco to keep up with its pace worldwide, highlighting in this sense the work carried out by the UM6P to move forward with digital transformation.
As UM6P’s academic curricula in computer science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence are becoming national references, the university seeks to further become a leading institution in the field of science in Morocco and across Africa.
Read Also: UM6P’s Science Week: Are We Ready for a Transhumanist Future?
