Rabat – Ghita Mezzour, Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition celebrated the signing of an agreement with US technology giantOracle for the launch of the Research and Development Center in Africa.
Mezzour announced the news today, saying that she signed the agreement for the initiative in San Francisco, California at Oracle’s offices, adding that the center is the “first of its kind in Africa.”
“This agreement is meant to employ more than 1,000 skilled IT Moroccans who will develop cloud computing and AI solutions, among others, to accelerate the development of Oracle’s cutting-edge technologies that help solve customer challenges worldwide,” Mezzour said.
The agreement, she continued, is part of King Mohammed VI’s vision, seeking to encourage Moroccan youth to be “innovative and to strengthen our country’s position as a hub for productive investment.”
Oracle’s CEO Safra Catz also emphasized the importance of the new center, adding that its current center in Casablanca “already played a critical role in creating technical breakthroughs, enhancing cybersecurity and delivering impactful new AI capabilities.”
The CEO emphasized the importance of expanding R&D presence in Morocco, stressing that the company can “further tap its deep talent pool to accelerate the development of solutions that help our global customers grow their businesses and win in their industries.”
The agreement comes as Morocco sees to advance its technology sector, particularly in the era of AI.
In March, the UN adopted its first resolution on AI, which was introduced to the General Assembly by Morocco and the US.
The resolution aims to promote safe, secure, and reliable AIsystems as well as to bridge the gaps within AI and other digital realms that exist between nations.
Despite global interest in AI, some warn against the risks of this digital transition, with recent study suggesting that the world may not be prepared for the changes.
One of these such studies was released in March by the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication, who reported that most Moroccan professionals are unprepared to rapidly adapt to AI.
