HIBAPRESS – Rabat
The new Moroccan government has incorporated artificial intelligence into its ministerial structure by establishing a ministry named "Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, and Administrative Reform," entrusted to Ahmed Rahou. This move places modern technology and the modernization of public services at the forefront of the new governmental organization.
The inclusion of artificial intelligence in the official name of a standalone ministry signifies a shift in how technology-related governmental competencies are presented. Previously, the files concerning digital transition and administrative reform fell under the purview of the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, headed by Amal El Falah Sghrouchni as minister delegate to the Prime Minister.
The change is not limited to adding artificial intelligence to the sector's name; it consolidates three interconnected areas: developing AI applications, accelerating digital transformation, and reforming administration. This amalgamation presents the ministry with the challenge of coordinating technological development and widespread adoption within administrations with the simplification of procedures and improvement of service quality for citizens and businesses.
This approach comes within the context of the Kingdom's previously launched "Morocco AI 2030" roadmap, which aims to build national capabilities in this field, strengthen digital infrastructure, develop expertise, encourage innovation, and expand the use of technology in economic and administrative sectors.
The establishment of the ministry raises the question of transitioning from strategy formulation to implementation, particularly concerning the development of Moroccan AI solutions, human resource qualification, provision of necessary infrastructure, and ensuring data security and personal data protection. The success of this initiative also depends on the ability of public administrations to adopt practical digital tools, rather than merely digitizing existing procedures without changing their management methods.
In this regard, the practical priorities of the ministry and the distribution of responsibilities among its departments will be among the key issues, as will linking digital projects to measurable outcomes, whether in terms of reducing processing times, improving access to services, or alleviating administrative burdens on users.
The appointment of Aicha Kellah as minister delegate responsible for administrative reform, reporting to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, and Administrative Reform, also highlights an internal distribution of responsibilities within the sector, granting direct governmental responsibility to administrative reform. Coordination between the minister and the minister delegate will be crucial in determining how to combine administrative modernization with the adoption of new technologies.
The primary challenge for the new ministry remains transforming artificial intelligence from a governmental slogan into tangible tools in the economy, administration, and public services, ensuring that investment in technology translates into improved service quality, efficient spending, and the ability of institutions to meet citizen expectations.
