Morocco Appoints Distinguished AI Expert as Digital Transition Minister

Thursday 24 October 2024 - 12:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco Appoints Distinguished AI Expert as Digital Transition Minister

In a significant move towards advancing Morocco's digital landscape, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni has been appointed as Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform. The appointment, made during a recent government restructuring ceremony at the Royal Palace in Rabat, marks a new chapter in Morocco's technological advancement strategy.

El Fallah Seghrouchni brings an impressive portfolio of expertise to her new role. As the Executive President of the International Center of Artificial Intelligence of Morocco (ICAIM) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, she successfully elevated the institution to UNESCO Category II status for the Africa region, establishing Morocco as an emerging technology hub.

Her academic credentials include an exceptional class professorship at Sorbonne University's Faculty of Sciences and Engineering in Paris, where she also serves as Principal Investigator of the Thales Endowed Chair of Excellence in Hybrid AI for Cognitive Radars at Sorbonne University-Abu Dhabi Center of Artificial Intelligence. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Pierre and Marie Curie University and a Habilitation to advise Research from Sorbonne Paris Nord University.

El Fallah Seghrouchni's research impact extends globally through collaborations with prestigious institutions across Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and Romania. Her academic contributions include supervising 35 doctoral students and publishing extensively, with 24 books and over 200 papers to her name.

Beyond technical expertise, she demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical technology development through her service on UNESCO's World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) and membership in the UNESCO Expert Group on AI and the Futures of Learning. Her achievements earned her a nomination for the Berkeley World Business Analytics Awards' "Woman of the Year" category for Africa in 2021.

Prior to this ministerial appointment, El Fallah Seghrouchni was selected by King Mohammed VI to serve on the High Council of Education, Training and Scientific Research for 2022-2027. She also holds a position as an expert for the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture for 2023-2026.

The appointment represents Morocco's commitment to advancing its digital infrastructure while maintaining a balance between technological progress and ethical considerations. El Fallah Seghrouchni's diverse experience in academic, research, and policy domains positions her uniquely to guide Morocco's digital transformation initiatives.