Forum on AI in Africa: AI Movement in partnership with UNESCO Host Event in Rabat

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this international Forum focused on "Artificial Intelligence as a Lever for Development in Africa."

The objectives were to:
- Evaluate the state of AI in Africa
- Adapt AI governance to African priorities
- Develop a common strategy for AI
- Strengthen capacities in the public and private sectors, as well as among youth and women
- Foster collaborations between African and global AI centers.

The Forum was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Mr André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty the King; Mr Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of Education, Higher Education, Training, and Scientific Research of Morocco; Ms Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco; Mr Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication of Morocco; Mr Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information; along with global leaders, diplomats, political figures, experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, and civil society representatives. Delegations from over 20 countries participated in the event.

UNESCO's Priority Africa and External Relations Sector (PAX) moderated and participated in several panels. PAX notably showcased the work of the African women entrepreneures supported by the "African Women in Tech and AI" project developed jointly by Ai Movement, UNESCO and the OCP Foundation, as well as its collaborative work on strategic foresight, AI and digitalization with experts, academic and private sector partners, both African and international. PAX also organized a strategic foresight workshop on "The Future of AI in Africa by 2050," which gathered around twenty Forum participants, including high-level African experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, and other AI stakeholders. The workshop's conclusions, focusing on "responsible and inclusive AI for a sovereign and interconnected Africa serving humanity and sustainable development," were presented during the plenary session.

Mr Tawfik Jelassi emphasized UNESCO's commitment to strengthening African capacities in AI and digital transformation and the necessity of international collaboration to promote technological development in Africa. Mr Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P, highlighted the importance of innovation and collaboration in addressing Africa's technological challenges.

Another key moment was the approval of the "African Consensus of Rabat" by acclamation during the Forum's closing ceremony. Presented by Prof. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Executive President of the Ai Movement Centre, this document calls for collaborative actions to make AI a catalyst for structural transformation in the Global South.

The International AI Center of Morocco, AI Movement, aims to promote Moroccan and African expertise in AI and data science. It aspires to make Morocco a regional AI hub influencing its ecosystem at strategic, educational, and industrial levels. Recognized in November 2023 as the first Category II Center under the auspices of UNESCO in AI in Africa, AI Movement also seeks to maximize AI's social and economic impact for a prosperous Africa.