As Morocco has been experiencing a significant rise in cybercrimes, particularly defamation and other offenses carried out through digital platforms, the government is mulling a new legislation to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence, as reported in an interview article published by the Arabic-language media outlet Al Arabia.
At a recent parliamentary session, Morocco’s Minister of Justice, Abdelatif Ouahbi, cautioned that AI technologies could potentially be misused to facilitate crimes against the freedoms of both citizens and officials.
“The Moroccan government is currently preparing a draft law that would regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies,” this law according to the author, seeks “to mitigate potential risks and address previous instances of criminal activity conducted via social media, which have had a significant impact on the private lives of Moroccan citizens.”
Discussing AI regulation, El Ghali El Ghailani, a professor of law specializing in cybersecurity at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, informed Al Arabia, that “Morocco has been proactive and among the first countries in framing and defining the digital domain and all related aspects of cybersecurity.”
He emphasized the country’s commitment to safeguarding its institutions and citizens from cyber threats and crimes through the implementation of robust legislative and strategic measures.
El Ghailani also addressed the potential risks associated with AI technologies, particularly with their impact on electronic infrastructure. He illustrated that “these technologies can be used to disseminate fake videos and images online, influence public opinion, and potentially contribute to domestic and international crises, therefore endangering citizens’ privacy and safety.”
The professor also flagged the potential for malicious algorithms to be misused for political, economic, social, and security reasons, which could jeopardize the security of electronic infrastructure, information confidentiality, and ultimately, people’s safety.
He expressed particular concern about the forthcoming elections in Morocco, which he believes “could be susceptible to manipulation by AI-driven news and information.”
Ahmad Abbadi, a Professor of Media Sociology at the Afro-Asian University, warned of “the possibility of machines outperforming their creators.” He referenced a report from Gladstone on AI, published last March, which stated that “today’s most advanced AI systems could pose a significant risk to human life under worst-case scenarios.”
“Despite the current interest from investors and the public in the potential of AI, there are also significant risks, particularly in Morocco,” according to Abbadi.
He observed that a wealth of research and practical experience suggests that, “once a certain level of capability is reached, AI systems may become unmanageable, potentially leading to irreversible damage. “
Specific concerns have been raised within AI laboratories about the potential for losing control over the very systems they are developing, the specialist noted.
He concluded by emphasizing the necessity of global legislation to safeguard human rights and lives, while effectively navigating the risks posed by these evolving technologies to prevent future humanitarian crises.