Morocco Proposes Establishment of National Agency for AI Governance

Doha – A parliamentary opposition group in the Moroccan House of Councilors (the upper chamber of Parliament) submitted yesterday a bill to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country. The bill, presented by the parliamentary group of the Moroccan Labor Union, aims to address the negative aspects and illegal uses of AI technology.

The explanatory memorandum of the bill emphasizes the necessity to regulate artificial intelligence in Morocco and proposes the creation of an institution (agency) dedicated to AI governance. The proposed National Agency for Artificial Intelligence would be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and updating a national AI strategy in line with global developments in the field.

The main objectives of establishing this agency include raising awareness about the importance of AI in all national institutions, enhancing the efficiency of employees in various public and private administrations and bodies, and creating generations of specialists in the field.

The agency is also expected to open up promising prospects in the field of AI, facilitate cooperation with specialized international companies, and collaborate with regional and international organizations to discuss AI-related issues.

However, the bill warns about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence, which could be turned into a weapon for launching cyber-attacks, creating deep fake videos, or spreading misinformation and hate speech. Such malicious use of AI could have severe repercussions on public security in the country.

The bill also highlights the favorable environment for Morocco to embark on the AI sector, including the abundance of data, the country’s demographic nature with a large proportion of young people who extensively use mobile phones (a primary source of data collection for AI), and the availability of a ministerial department dedicated to digital transition.

Moreover, Morocco has launched a National Strategy for Digital Transformation 2022-2030 to digitize services and lay the foundations for a digital economy that creates job opportunities.

The proposed National Agency for Artificial Intelligence would consist of a board of directors and a director. The board of directors would include representatives of the state and individuals chosen from the public and private sectors for their expertise in AI and other related technical, legal, and economic fields.

The board would have the necessary powers and competencies to carry out the agency’s tasks, such as defining AI-related policies, approving national AI strategies, proposing relevant legislation, and developing AI performance indicators.

Discussion of the bill in the Moroccan Parliament can only begin after the government’s approval. If passed by both houses of Parliament and published in the Official Gazette, the law will come into force.

The introduction of this bill comes at a time when Morocco has already taken steps towards embracing AI technology. Last February, the country announced the establishment of two schools for artificial intelligence and digitization in the cities of Taroudant and Berkane, marking an unprecedented initiative in the North African kingdom.

At the international level, Morocco and the United States presented last month at the United Nations a preliminary document focusing on leveraging the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) for the benefit of the world, marking the first time such a resolution has been introduced.

While artificial intelligence offers significant benefits, experts caution that it can also have negative consequences, leading to the emergence of what is known as the “ethics of artificial intelligence.” As Morocco navigates this new technological landscape, the proposed legislation aims to strike a balance between harnessing the potential of AI and mitigating its risks.