Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as an impetus throughout the business world and its transformative power has extended into education. AI has invaded learning environments in recent years, providing customized experiences and equipping educators with tools to alter learning methods and strategies.
This development is of monumental significance in Morocco, as Moroccan academics are reacting quickly to Minister Abdellatif Miraoui’s call for AI integration in education and learning.
The Ministry’s determination on AI training for teachers prior to implementing AI basics into the curriculum demonstrates a precautionary yet progressive approach.
Morocco’s participation in international forums, such as the recent AI seminar organized by the Council for Education, Training, and Scientific Research in the capital, underscores the country’s commitment to understanding and embracing AI’s potential in education as it positions itself within the global AI landscape in 2024.
The potential benefits of AI in education are endless, ranging from universal student access, to digital knowledge databases, to upgraded tutoring support.
The potential of artificial intelligence to break down language barriers and respond to customized learning demands aligns with Morocco’s ambition for an inclusive educational landscape.
On top of that, doctor and researcher Karim Darban’s invention of the AI- powered MORAL application–which stands for Moroccan Oriented Responsive AI Learning–illustrates Morocco’s commitment to AI-powered education.
This application, which employs smart learning content and intelligent tutoring technologies, is a catalyst to the development of adaptive, efficient, and accessible learning experiences to all.
MORAL is considered by its creator as a socially significant project, prioritizing the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in AI-powered education, thereby contributing to its humanitarian and ethical standards by featuring many important aspects of life such as health, engineering, business, etc.
When queried about the main goal of his application and its efficacy for its users, Darban was quick to respond that the MORAL app seeks to mitigate the difficulty of developing soft skills in academic institutions by utilizing artificial intelligence to deliver a realistic and immersive learning experience.
The software uses language models to imitate real-world discussions, enabling students to improve their soft skills through active practice. By eliminating time constraints, MORAL offers an innovative solution for personal skills and overall development.
In response to our inquiry, the researcher revealed to us the specific features of the app and the expected release date.
Darban declared: “MORAL app uses Large Language Models (LLMs) to simulate real discussions in various domains like business negotiation, client needs comprehension, engineering, and medical diagnostics.”
“The choice of these features is driven by the need to address practical skill development in diverse fields,” he justified.
He went on to say, “As for the expected time of release for the complete app, it will depend on the support we get from other researchers and specialists, to help Moral get insights from various domains . . .” However, he added that the “Business Negotiation” feature is currently available for free online.
Elaborating on the matter of the primary target audience for his learning application and insights as to its advantages for different segments of the population, the doctor asserted that the primary target audience for the MORAL app encompasses students in higher education in Morocco. “However, the app will aim to benefit different segments of the population in the future by providing a tailored and realistic learning experience in various domains,” he added.
Darban’s ideas, motivations and pathways to the actual creation of the app were shared in our interview, whereby he explained that the idea for MORAL was generated in response to the call from the Ministry of Higher Education in Morocco to incorporate AI into education, and was hastened by the encouragement of Professor Smail Kabbaj–Head of the National School of Business and Management (ENCG) of Casablanca–who had been urging researchers affiliated with the school to create AI-related apps to benefit students.
He further stressed the need for this creation, saying, “The transfer of soft skills doesn’t occur merely through theoretical courses or written materials; their true development emerges through active practice. . . That’s why, even though universities often strive to instill these skills, their authentic acquisition often begins in the professional context.” He then added, “Providing individual attention to each student from their educational mentors to simulate real situations that are conducive to the enhancement of these soft skills is highly challenging.”
However, AI technology offers a low barrier to entry, making it enticing for start-ups due to its free cost, so aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators can start from scratch and transform creative ideas into tangible projects without a significant financial investment.
He also provided the specific example of “open-source tools and resources” which provides entrepreneurs the aforementioned opportunity to start from the ground up without having to scramble for cash to get things off the ground. This “democratization” encourages creativity and experimentation.
He ended by saying that this flexibility in the preliminary stages of AI projects fosters a dynamic environment whereby individuals may create impactful projects with limited resources.
We asked Dr. Karim the following question: “Do you think people in Morocco will find the app helpful for learning, and if so, then why?” He conveyed a noteworthy viewpoint by trusting that his app is expected to be helpful for “learning” in Morocco as it provides a solution to a common issue faced by students in skills development.
“The immersive and practical approach of MORAL, facilitated by AI, aligns with the global advancements in education and caters to the needs of students in Morocco by preparing them for the dynamic demands of the professional world,” he articulated.
Adding depth to the discussion, the Moroccan innovator offered a comprehensive response based on his perspective on the current use of AI in Morocco, in addition to the challenges and the opportunities aligning with this matter.
He highlighted that in Morocco, as in the rest of the world, a common challenge with AI lies in the pervasive discussion around it without a proportionate focus on practical innovation and creation.
“Often, AI is treated more as a trend to showcase alignment with contemporary advancements rather than a tool actively harnessed for real-life applications,” he said.
He stressed the fact that it is crucial to shift the narrative from AI being merely a catchy trend to being that of a genuine force for positive change, elaborating, “The emphasis should be on fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration to develop meaningful AI applications that address specific needs and challenges in various domains, including education,” adding “This approach could unlock the true potential of AI in Morocco and contribute to its effective integration into everyday life.”
Our interview ended with a suggestion directed to the Moroccan government regarding the encouragement of the use of AI in Morocco. Darban suggested initiating endeavors that encourage the development and scaling of functional AI projects to demonstrate their societal benefits.
He elaborated on his proposal, stating, “An incentivized model could be implemented, where individuals or teams create a Demo MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to prove the viability and effectiveness of their AI projects. Upon successful demonstration, these projects could receive government sponsorship, enabling them to be implemented on a larger scale.”
He further backed his idea, adding, “Private investment in AI projects should be encouraged. . . Entrepreneurs and developers could invest in their own initiatives, with the potential for profitability.”
As Morocco navigates the integration of artificial intelligence into education, the coordinated efforts of government initiatives and innovative applications such as MORAL place the country at the forefront of educational transformation.