Morocco has significantly bolstered its presence in the escalating international discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), democracy, and human rights. This initiative was marked by the announcement of a new international collaboration platform in Marrakech, between Morocco and several Latin American countries, aimed at creating a shared space for advocacy and the exchange of expertise concerning the human rights and political challenges posed by the rapid digital transformations the world is experiencing.
The platform, named "Bridges of the Global South" (Jusur Al-Janub Al-Aalami), was unveiled at the conclusion of the tenth International Conference on Human Rights and Electoral Laws, which took place on May 22 and 23 in Marrakech. This event was organized by the National Human Rights Council and the ALFA Academy from Mexico, reflecting Morocco's commitment to enhancing the participation of southern countries in global discussions about technology governance and AI.
This move comes amid growing international concerns about the impact of AI, algorithms, and digital spaces on democracies and human rights, especially regarding digital misinformation, deepfakes, and their influence on public opinion and electoral processes. Amna Bouayach, the President of the National Human Rights Council, emphasized that the discourse surrounding AI has transcended mere technical discussions; it has evolved into a global political and human rights issue, insisting that human rights must remain the "absolute and essential foundation" for integrating technology into public life.
The conference, themed "Elections and Human Rights in the Era of Digitization and AI," gathered judges, experts, institutional actors, academics, and human rights advocates from Morocco and various Latin American and European nations. They convened to discuss the transformations imposed by digital technology on democratic processes and elections. The conference's final document highlighted emerging global challenges, including the potential algorithmic influence on voter behavior, the rise of misinformation campaigns, the use of deepfake technologies, and the increasing ability of digital platforms to steer public discourse and influence cross-border public opinion. These developments raise significant questions about democratic sovereignty and the protection of public spaces.
Participants called for the development of new approaches focused on enhancing algorithmic transparency, subjecting AI systems to independent evaluation and monitoring, and strengthening information verification mechanisms. Such measures are critical to ensuring the integrity of the digital public space and safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms. In this context, the "Bridges of the Global South" platform aims to establish a permanent space for cooperation and joint advocacy among southern countries, facilitating the exchange of experiences and the building of coordination mechanisms among institutional, academic, and civil actors, particularly regarding issues related to digital transformations and AI.
The participants, predominantly from Latin American nations and Morocco, underscored that southern countries face similar challenges, such as the digital divide, limited access to technological governance tools, and algorithmic influences. This reality positions south-south cooperation as a strategic choice rather than a mere temporary initiative. The announcement comes at a time when international calls for building more equitable and inclusive AI governance models are on the rise, advocating for the consideration of the particularities of developing countries while ensuring respect for human dignity and the protection of democratic processes. This issue has emerged as one of the most critical challenges that will shape societies and institutions in the coming years.
As reported by ar.telquel.ma.
