Morocco unveils white paper on inclusive and sovereign AI model
via Le Matin10 min read
The United Nations Population Fund UNFPA presented a white paper on April 21, 2026, titled "The nexus of artificial and natural intelligences as a catalyst for positive social change, economic development, and planetary health in Morocco." Co-authored by Cornelia C. Walther and Aawatif Hayar, the document explores how Morocco can transform global technological disruption into a sovereign and inclusive opportunity. The white paper advocates for "prosocial AI," which integrates equity, dignity, and sustainability from its conception, moving beyond a market-driven approach or excessive caution. It emphasizes that intelligence is hybrid, stemming from the interaction of technology, human capital, and cultural contexts. Morocco is seen as a potential laboratory for this model, given its social, territorial, and economic dynamics. The document aligns with Morocco's new development model and social state project, focusing on reducing inequalities and valuing human capital. It identifies data governance, usage regulation, and hybrid skills training as crucial areas, warning against an "algorithmic divide" that could exacerbate inequalities for vulnerable populations. Marielle Sander, UNFPA representative in Morocco, highlighted the country's sustained reform dynamics and strategic vision as reasons for its selection as a pilot country for prosocial AI. She noted that the initiative aligns with Moroccan national priorities, focusing on human rights and ensuring AI benefits reach vulne
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In an international context marked by multiple crises, traditional diplomacy is no longer sufficient, with data, research, and expertise increasingly shaping power dynamics between states. Scientific diplomacy is emerging as a strategic tool for countries seeking influence. In Morocco, this issue is central to a recent policy paper by the Policy Center for the New South PCNS, titled "The Strategic Role of Moroccan Universities in Scientific Diplomacy." Khalid Temsamani, a professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Abdelmalek Essaâdi University and the paper's author, discussed these challenges on the "Débat du mardi" program. Temsamani states that international negotiations have changed, requiring scientific evidence to defend positions, especially on climate, energy, and food security. Morocco has significant scientific output, with over 6,000 annual publications and strong international cooperation, but this potential is underutilized. Universities are key to this transformation, producing reliable data for international forums. However, coordination between researchers, diplomats, and public decision-makers is lacking. Scientific diplomacy is also linked to accessing international funding, with countries presenting solid, data-backed projects being better positioned. The paper identifies obstacles such as a lack of institutional coordination, unstructured funding, and limited recognition of scientists' roles in negotiations. Morocco should focus on strategic areas like water,
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Pluxee Morocco has announced a strategic partnership with M2T, a payment institution of the BCP Group, signed during GITEX 2026 in Marrakech. This collaboration marks a new phase in the dematerialization of gift and meal vouchers, aiming to modernize a system traditionally dominated by paper formats. The initiative introduces a fully digitized solution based on card and mobile payments, designed to simplify usage, improve traceability, and streamline transactions for businesses, employees, and merchants. This move by Pluxee Morocco seeks to provide a more fluid and integrated experience, aligning with international standards and reducing logistical constraints associated with managing physical vouchers, while offering better transaction visibility. The partnership with M2T is central to this strategy, integrating Pluxee Morocco's solution into the Chaabi Payment network, which expands its national coverage and facilitates adoption by more merchants. This interconnection also strengthens the inclusion of partners in the digital payment ecosystem by providing access to modern tools and a secure infrastructure. Pluxee Morocco's broader ambition is to build a model based on interoperability among various payment stakeholders, focusing on network mutualization and shared value creation. Slim Ben Ammar, General Manager of Pluxee Morocco, stated that this partnership is the first step in a digital transformation project, aiming to simplify the management of social benefits and expan
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