Artificial intelligence reshaping Morocco's healthcare and economic future

Friday 26 September 2025 - 10:40

By: Dakir Madiha

Artificial intelligence reshaping Morocco's healthcare and economic future

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming Morocco's healthcare sector, offering solutions to long-standing challenges such as unequal access to care and administrative inefficiencies. By integrating advanced algorithms into diagnostics, resource management, and hospital operations, AI is driving economic and clinical innovation while redefining jobs in the industry. However, this transformation requires ethical integration, workforce training, and strategic investments to maximize its potential.

AI at the forefront of diagnostics

AI is no longer a theoretical tool in Morocco; it is actively influencing clinical practices. A 2023 study at Casablanca’s University Hospital revealed that nearly 50% of doctors already use AI in their daily work, especially in areas like radiology, dermatology, and cardiology. Dermatologists report that AI-powered tools, such as machine learning for dermoscopic image analysis, often match or exceed human precision in diagnostics.

Moroccan entrepreneurs are also innovating in underserved regions. For example, low-cost AI-enabled ultrasound scanners are being deployed in maternity clinics to detect prenatal issues early. This technology promises to improve maternal and infant health outcomes while reducing complications due to late diagnoses.

From a financial perspective, AI’s ability to streamline diagnostics and enable early intervention can reduce the expenses tied to advanced illness treatment and alleviate pressure on emergency care units. The Ministry of Health is incorporating these insights into its five-year strategy to expand AI adoption in public hospitals, aiming to enhance efficiency and affordability.

Redefining healthcare jobs

The rise of AI is reshaping Morocco's healthcare workforce. Hybrid roles that combine medical expertise with data science are emerging, such as clinical AI validation scientists and medical prompt engineers. Institutions like Mohammed VI Polytechnic University are pioneering programs to train professionals for these roles, which require both technical and ethical skills.

While AI creates new opportunities, workforce shortages in digital health and medical research remain critical challenges. Experts emphasize the need for targeted investments in training to prevent skill gaps that could hinder the scalability of AI solutions across Morocco’s healthcare system.

Tackling administrative inefficiencies

AI is also addressing one of Morocco's silent but costly healthcare challenges: bureaucratic inefficiencies. Hospitals are adopting AI-driven tools to optimize patient scheduling, reduce wait times, and streamline administrative processes, particularly in overburdened urban facilities. These efforts align with the Ministry of Health’s digital transformation initiative, e-Sihaty ("my health"), which lays the foundation for broader AI integration.

Although initial investments in AI infrastructure are high, experts agree that the long-term financial benefits—such as reduced operational costs and improved resource allocation—far outweigh the expenses. By digitizing hospital systems, Morocco is paving the way for intelligent automation and more sustainable healthcare funding.

Ensuring ethical implementation

For AI to deliver its full impact, Morocco must address two critical areas: human capital and accountability. Training programs must produce professionals capable of managing and assessing AI systems. Additionally, AI’s results must be transparent, peer-reviewed, and aligned with international standards, such as those set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Morocco’s efforts to adopt global best practices demonstrate its commitment to responsible AI use.

The road ahead

AI is already proving its value in Morocco’s healthcare system by improving diagnostics, cutting costs, and fostering innovation. However, its success depends on sustained investments in workforce development, ethical frameworks, and infrastructure. With strategic foresight, Morocco has the opportunity to become a regional leader in health technology and an example of how AI can balance economic efficiency with patient care.