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Join on Telegram Rabat – Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi has warned Moroccan lawmakers about the potential threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) to the upcoming elections and their integrity.
He made the statement on Monday during the weekly oral questions session at the parliament in response to questions from lawmakers concerning the protection of citizens from fake news.
He emphasized that the current problem is not merely fake news, which he said is set to be addressed by the draft penal code currently under review by the head of the government Aziz Akhanouch, but the broader issue of AI.
Ouahbi pointed out that AI could be used to generate statements attributed to individuals that they never actually made. “The dangerous thing is that this problem will affect you during the elections,” he said, addressing members of the first chamber of the parliament.
He explained that AI could be used to generate videos that make people appear to say things they did not, making it difficult for citizens to distinguish between reality and AI-generated content.
Ouahbi noted that the US has established a committee to tackle the issue of AI, yet the threat remains significant. He expressed hope for the implementation of legal frameworks to address this issue before the elections take place.
Read also: Viral Image of King Mohammed VI Confirmed as AI-Generated
The minister notably announced plans for a conference on AI and its legal regulation to be held in September.
Concerns about artificial intelligence have surged worldwide as its capabilities to manipulate voice, video, and other media have become increasingly sophisticated and alarming.
AI’s ability to generate hyper-realistic content, including images, fake statements, and videos attributed to individuals, has raised significant fears among the public, including in Morocco.
Earlier this year, an image purportedly depicting King Mohammed VI was widely shared online, sparking thousands of interactions on social media. However, it later came to light that the image was not authentic but rather a product of digital design and AI by Moroccan designer Taha Houssaini.
