Artificial intelligence (AI) has come a long way since the first Dartmouth Conference in 1956. More than half a century later, AI, which started as a vision to invent machines capable of reproducing human cognitive processes, has become pervasive and ubiquitous, profoundly impacting all sectors of activity. Beyond the hype around AI, scientists and researchers around the world are developing AI-based technologies and autonomous systems capable of transforming all societal and economic sectors and changing strategic and geopolitical balances. In Africa, AI presents a real leapfrogging opportunity to position the continent on the rails of technological development. This depends heavily on the ability of African countries to develop national strategies that converge towards an African strategy that promotes a trusted, ethical and responsible AI, anchored in the reality of the continent. The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) has been one of the pioneering African universities in the reflections and discussions with UNESCO on the use of AI as a lever for development in Africa. In particular, it co-organized with this UN agency the first Forum on AI in Africa (UM6P, Benguerir, Morocco, December 2018). The final declaration of this continental Forum, the “Benguerir Declaration,” calls for the organization of sub-regional forums in Africa facilitating the exchange of ideas, the development of frameworks and strategic action plans, with a view to encouraging greater use of AI at the national and regional levels.

         The International Center for Artificial Intelligence of Morocco, Ai movement of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aims to develop research, stimulate innovation, design new applications with high societal impact and contribute to the deployment of ethical recommendations and international regulations accompanying the advent of this disruptive technology.Its ambition is to play a major role in shaping the future of AI in Morocco, and more widely on the African continent. In this dynamic, the Ai movement Center signed, in July 2022, a strategic partnership agreement with UNESCO to develop a cooperation focused on the co-implementation of capacity building projects in AI in Africa, as part of the Operational Strategy for Priority Africa 2022-2029. The Ai movement Center is a privileged partner of the sub-regional Forums on AI set up by UNESCO, starting with the one targeting the Southern African region (Windhoek, Namibia, September 2022) and which concluded with the adoption of the “Windhoek Declaration on Artificial Intelligence in Southern Africa”.

         For the inauguration of its new building, named “AI Dome”, Ai movement is organizing a conference entitled “Ethical & Responsible Artificial Intelligence: Challenges & Opportunities for Africa”. The conference will take place from November 9 to 11, in Ai movement’s new offices in Technopolis, and will bring together international experts from various continents. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and technical sessions, the conference aims to provide an overview of the current state of artificial intelligence globally, identify new challenges, and discuss emerging applications to meet the sustainable development goals of the African continent. The event will also be an opportunity to discuss the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and a forum to exchange ideas and establish south-south and south-north collaborations. The conference also includes an award ceremony for the top three projects of the hackathon “AI for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality”, organized by Ai movement.                                                                                                                                                                      

The conference will be an opportunity to seal partnerships and launch flagship actions with Ai movement’s partners.

With all our acknowledgements to the guests and collaborators who made this event a great success.

Welcome to Ai movement- UM6P.

Move with us with ethical & responsible Ai !