UN Document Backs Social AI to Blend Technological Progress and Cultural Richness in Morocco

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has unveiled a pivotal white paper, championing artificial intelligence as a transformative force for Morocco's development trajectory. This document, a collaborative effort involving international and Moroccan experts, calls for the establishment of a "social/human" AI that is intrinsically bound to serve humanity while respecting Morocco's unique cultural fabric and algorithmic preferences.

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Morocco today has the opportunity to chart its own path, one that aligns with its specificities and achieves a sustainable impact. It is not just about adopting AI, but about shaping it according to the values and priorities of the country and its people.

The white paper, presented at a press conference in Rabat, explores the potential for Morocco to emerge as a regional leader in developing innovative algorithmic structures. These structures are envisioned to foster social, economic, and environmental progress, serving as a model for the post-Sustainable Development Goals era. The research delves into the foundational concepts of AI, including "AI for Good" and "Prosocial AI," examining the specific social, ethical, and structural challenges within the Moroccan context.

At its core, the initiative seeks to forge a "hybrid intelligence" that harmonizes technological advancement with natural intelligence and cultural richness. This approach aims to identify practical opportunities for innovation that integrate algorithms with human capabilities, aligning with principles of sustainability, digital sovereignty, social cohesion, and responsible economic prosperity. The UNFPA emphasizes that Morocco has a unique chance to chart its own course, ensuring AI adoption is tailored to its specificities and yields lasting impact.

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The primary motivation is to program artificial intelligence that is compelled to be in the service of humanity, which created it.

One of the key proponents, Professor Awatif Hayar, has been researching "Social AI" and "Prosocial AI," which she terms "Human AI." Her motivation stems from a concern that AI, in its self-programming evolution, might detach from human interests. She advocates for AI that is "compelled" to serve humanity, its creators, and to be a positive force for human development. This perspective highlights a distinctly Moroccan and human-centric approach to AI, contrasting with purely technologically driven global narratives. The focus on "humanizing" AI and ensuring it aligns with national values is a unique and critical aspect of this Moroccan-led initiative.

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The second is the necessity to see the development of artificial intelligence as a positive thing... Because it is intelligence, it makes it an added value for humanity... and therefore these algorithms capable of thinking and helping us progress must be made an accelerator of human development.