Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), called for the development of Morocco's first dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy. This was part of her keynote speech delivered on her behalf by Mr. Mohamed El Hachimi, Director of Studies, Research and Documentation at the CNDH, at the opening of a three-day conference on Wednesday 5 February 2025, at Hassan I University in Settat, Morocco.

Ms. Bouayach emphasized the need for an independent AI strategy to complement Morocco’s digital strategy, highlighting the significant opportunities that digitalization, technology, and AI may offer for advancing development. She noted that human rights are not necessarily at odds with technological and digital advancement.

In this context, she stated: “Human rights are not an obstacle to innovation and progress.” On the contrary, she added, the pursuit of solutions while respecting rights and freedoms can serve as a catalyst for even greater innovation. She emphasized that voluntary commitment to rights and freedoms, along with the protection of human dignity, could be a key determinant in innovation approaches, which would pave the way for deeper, more meaningful, and more human-centered innovations.
 

Ms. Bouayach also stressed that a national AI strategy should create the necessary conditions to:
-    Foster and encourage innovation;
-    Develop AI systems that integrate human rights considerations in data collection and algorithm design;
-    Prioritize regular human rights impact assessments to protect fundamental rights and freedoms.

In her statement, she also highlighted the vast potential of AI in enhancing human rights protection, particularly in strengthening healthcare services, empowering persons with disabilities through technological advancements, expanding access to education for all, supporting sustainable development, predicting natural disasters and reducing carbon emissions by 2030.

While discussing human rights challenges in the digital and AI age, Ms. Bouayach warned against ignoring three critical issues:
- Misinformation and its impact on rights and freedoms: the need for effective strategies to combat misinformation, including strengthening media and digital education, enhancing individuals’ ability to verify information, ensuring transparency in digital platforms, and holding tech giants accountable for addressing this growing concern.
- Discrimination and the reinforcement of stereotypes: AI and technology may replicate societal biases if not designed with care and reviewed regularly and comprehensively.
- Unequal impact on vulnerable groups, particularly women: Technology is not inherently neutral and may exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly for women and marginalized groups. Ms. Bouyach called for implementing policies and programs to ensure the effective and safe participation of women in digital spaces while protecting them from emerging threats.

Download CNDH Chairperson Statement (Available in Arabic)