The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) took part, on December 4-5, 2023 in Rabat, Morocco, in the Forum of Scientific Chairs affiliated with the partner organizations of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, on the theme of “The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence : Theory and Practice”.
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, participated, virtually via Zoom, in the opening session of the Forum. He expressed thanks to Dr. Jamal Eddine El Aloua, Secretary-General of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, for the kind invitation to participate in this scientific event which addresses a theme of utmost importance in the lives of societies. He extended thanks to H.E. Dr. Chakib Benmoussa, Moroccan Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, President of the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, for his continuous support for ALECSO and for Morocco’s hosting of many events, including the 13th Conference of Arab Education Ministers, held on May 29-31, 2023 in Rabat.
The Director-General highlighted the rapid technological developments currently taking place in the world, particularly the prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various aspects of everyday life. He underlined the significant role of AI in transforming education and promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, but stressed the need to guard against the risks associated with artificial intelligence.
The Forum was attended, in-person, by Dr. Mohamed Jemni, Director of ICT Department, along with two experts, Dr. Ashraf Darwish and Dr. Maledh Marrakchi.
Dr. Jemni offered a presentation showcasing ALECSO’s efforts to promote digital transformation and its vision for preparing an Arab Code of Ethics on Artificial Intelligence. He reviewed ALECSO’s projects to promote digital transformation in the Arab world. He then highlighted the risks associated with artificial intelligence, noting that AI technology might lead to massive changes in the labor market and job structure, which requires rethinking education and training methods in order to best qualify individuals to adapt to these transformations.
Dr. Jemni also touched on the issue of privacy and data protection, noting that the collection and analysis of massive data might carry major challenges affecting the rights and privacy of individuals.
Dr. Jemni emphasized the need for increased Arab cooperation to develop policies and regulatory frameworks to protect Arab societies, and to establish an Arab Code of Ethics that would promote the safe and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence and its resources while taking into consideration the Arab specificities.
For their part, Dr. Ashraf Darwish and Dr. Maledh Marrakchi gave lectures, respectively, on “The Principles and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Light of International Standards,” “The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Education”.
The Forum was also addressed, virtually, by Dr. Mourad Mahmoudi, Secretary of the Executive Board and General Conference of ALECSO, who commended the existing cooperation with the Moroccan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and highlighted the Organization’s efforts to enhance the network of Scientific Chairs, Clubs and Schools affiliated with ALECSO.
The Forum concluded with a set of recommendations that were contained in the Rabat Declaration on the launch of the initiative to prepare an Arab Code of Ethics for Artificial Intelligence.
