GITEX Africa Morocco: Al Akhawayn University Bets on ‘Master’s in AI’ Program for Sustainable Societal Impact

In an interview with MAP on the sidelines of the 3rd edition of GITEX Africa Morocco (April 14–16), Bensaid highlighted the university’s pioneering role in AI education, recalling the launch of a research master’s in the field from the university’s early years, followed by a Bachelor’s program in 2020.

“Today, we offer about ten programs that cover various AI-related fields, whether in business, engineering, or the humanities,” he noted, emphasizing the university’s commitment to training students capable of understanding and guiding this technology. 

On the research front, the university president showcased several projects focused on social and economic impact, citing, among others, the use of AI in agriculture, wildfire prevention, and linguistic analysis in Darija.

“Even students’ final projects, across all majors, increasingly include an AI component,” he said.

Regarding the development of the national ecosystem, Bensaid stressed that Morocco has made “a very strong start,” highlighting the growing interest from students, the involvement of faculty, and the emergence of champions in fields like fintech.

“We are seen as a leader in Africa. Now we must structure our efforts, invest in talent, and consolidate our achievements,” he added.