Speaking at a roundtable titled “Multilateralism or the AI Race: What Global Governance in a Fragmented World?” during Morocco’s first National AI Summit (July 1–2), Hilale explained that Morocco’s decision to partner both with the United States and to join China’s AI initiative reflects its strategic intent to not be sidelined in this new technological revolution.
“On the contrary,” he stressed, “Morocco seeks to be fully involved in all international efforts, with every partner leading in digital innovation, far from any form of political alignment. The goal is to facilitate convergence, foster South-South cooperation, anchor AI governance within the Sustainable Development Goals, and ensure democratic access to AI tools, skills and infrastructure.”
He underlined that Morocco is driven by a firm belief that access to AI is not merely about technical assistance, but a matter of justice, shared innovation, and solidarity — in short, a form of digital sovereignty.
Hilale recalled that within the United Nations, Morocco was the only Arab and African country invited by the United States to co-sponsor the first-ever UN resolution on artificial intelligence. The resolution, which was adopted by consensus, promotes the use of AI for sustainable development.
Morocco also co-leads, with the U.S., the UN Group of Friends on Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development. This group acts as a dynamic, forward-thinking platform for exchanging ideas and exploring cooperation on AI among members from various regional blocs.
Hilale noted that Morocco is actively involved in the ongoing negotiations to draft the Terms of Reference for both the Independent Scientific Panel on AI and the upcoming Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
He also revealed that Central Asian nations recently requested Morocco’s support in drafting and negotiating their first resolution on the role of AI in sustainable development. This text, prepared by Morocco, is expected to be adopted in early July.
Looking ahead, Morocco will co-chair the 2025 ECOSOC Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation, with a focus on AI’s transformative role in advancing sustainable development goals. Morocco currently chairs the Coalition on Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa’s Development, aimed at promoting ethical AI as a lever to accelerate progress toward both the 2030 and 2063 agendas.
The ambassador also announced that Morocco will soon submit the first resolution representing African priorities in AI, reflecting the continent’s determination not to be left behind. This initiative follows up on the Rabat Declaration, adopted during the High-Level Forum on AI in Africa in June 2024, and calls for sovereign, ethical AI aligned with African development needs.
“This Afro-international ambition is a strategic choice, in line with the South-South and triangular cooperation approach promoted by His Majesty King Mohammed VI,” said Hilale. He emphasized that the National AI Summit is a critical opportunity to cement Morocco’s digital leadership on the African continent.
The objectives of the “Morocco Digital Strategy 2030” and the mobilization of an 11 billion dirham fund support this ambition, he noted.
Hilale concluded by highlighting Morocco’s growing footprint in AI at the United Nations, the soon-to-be-launched national AI strategy (which will place Morocco among just four African countries with such a framework), and its structural strengths: human capital, data centers, and research and innovation hubs like the AI Movement at UM6P and the one planned for Dakhla. Additionally, the upcoming regional tech hub being launched with the UNDP for Arab and African nations will further boost Morocco’s leadership.
With this momentum, he said, Morocco has a real opportunity to become a regional AI power in Africa. More than that, it could serve as a legitimate host for the 2027 Summit for AI Action, following the first edition held in Paris in February 2025 and the next one set for New Delhi in 2026.
Editorial team/le7tv