Abstract
The rapid pace of adoption of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in Morocco shows a unique example of the compatibility of technology with culture. A synthesis of the recent literature on digital innovation in Moroccan development framework within the context of social values (2021-2024) demonstrates intertwined relations. Its findings shed light on the nation’s general and sectoral strategic planning of AI adoption without psychosocial impacts through governance adaptability and social structures. Critical success factors that have been identified include the establishment of multiple institutional partnerships, cultural resilience, and extensive support for the stakeholders in Morocco’s digital transformation process. The model established explains how developing nations can embrace the technologies in their growth without losing their identity and societal structure. The findings of this research are helpful for policymakers and practitioners in similar socio-cultural environments, focusing on trends for balancing change and continuity while integrated into the digital media.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, cultural resilience, digitalization, psychosocial impact
Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Resilience: Morocco’s Psychosocial Transformation Model
Background
The digital transformation process during the period indicates a new era for the development of Morocco that is underlined by strategic choices and the formation of institutions. As Yousra and Khalid elucidated in 2021, Morocco has been placing significant financial capital to become a digital and technological icon in Africa, which they have supported through an endorsement of $57 million for AI relationships and $50 million for research studies involving various industries. This commitment has been further reinforced by creating significant institutions, such as the AI Movement Center of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat and the House of Artificial Intelligence in Oujda (Jaldi, 2023). These are clear signs that Morocco is keen on preparing its ground to become a leader in the region in technological growth. An analysis of the current state of AI adoption across the different sectors in Morocco shows a real mix of possibilities and constraints. According to Ejjami (2024), although Moroccan enterprises are integrating these technologies into their leadership frameworks, the efficient implementation of such systems in several sectors is still a problem. This is made worse by the psychosocial vulnerabilities of accelerated technology uptake, some of which have been pointed out by Bensalah (2021), such as the mutation that arises from social media technological algorithms and social conduct about artificial intelligence. This research aims to provide an extensive evaluation of the state of AI in Morocco and the acculturation of AI strategy in relation to the underlying psychosocial consequences of the fast rate of technological advancement. The study will assess the methods that have been used in the process of securing cultural heritage during the process of digitization and explore the tension between Westernization and cultural values.
Literature Review
Digital Infrastructure and Implementation Strategies
An evaluation of Morrocco’s strategy for AI deployment exhibits the proper hierarchical structure of increasing Morocco’s digitally competitive environment and fulfilling the needs of particular industries. As highlighted in the study by Yousra and Khalid in 2021, the government has evidenced significant financial interest in AI solutions and has set out routine investment plans in additional sectors. Technologically sustainable structures for transformative reception, which include the AI Movement Center, have been developed in the direction of Moroccan policy. According to Elhazziti et al. (2023), there is currently no proper National AI Strategy. Still, inspired by the Digital Development Agency’s National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap, there is a systematic approach to improving and unifying technology advancement. Infrastructure preparedness and digital literacy issues are also incorporated into this theme, as Ejjami (2024) pointed out. There is a need for a broad and holistic view concerning competencies to be developed in AI technologies. All of these outcomes indicate the importance of a proper methodological approach to planning and initiating related digital structures as the foundation for AI use.
Psychosocial Impact and Mental Health Implications
The emergence of AI in Moroccan society has caused several psychosocial effects that should not be further ignored. The negative impacts of AI on social networks are briefly described by Bensalah (2021) as the spread of fake news and the virtual bubble that impaired the socio-psychological mentality formation. These arguments echo Oladimeji et al. (2023), who discuss the potential benefits of integrating AI-based tools for mental health promotion but, at the same time, the potential disrespect of cultural Taboos and beliefs. To understand better the reality of professionals working in this new context, Berrami et al. (2023) investigate how people relate themselves to new technologies in their lives, and though 47% of the workers confirm that they embrace AI within their lives, over 50% believe that there will be less human communication due to that. Such findings imply that it is necessary to use AI methods whose benefits are much more substantial than the adverse effects on psychological well-being and social interactions.
Cultural Identity and Traditional Practice Integration
The use of artificial intelligence in Morocco has various implications, such as a combination of technology integration and the maintenance of cultural values. For instance, Ejjami (2024) shows that AI implementation practices must consider Morocco’s cultural, economic, and organizational settings rather than a universal option. This argument is reaffirmed by Jaldi (2023), who argues that the development of AI should fully entail multi-stakeholder cooperation in formulating the cure, rights protection, and cultural values. The work highlights the need for shared optimal considerations in attaining the potential of AI in Morocco that would not potentially harm social relations and mental health.
Discussion
The adaptation of AI in Morocco is testimony to some pluses and minuses in today’s methodology. Higher government commitment towards technological enhancement is based on facts like learning institutions and other institutions dedicated to the growth of technological knowledge and hardware expenditure in millions, which shows the proposition. Nevertheless, Elhazziti et al. (2023) point to shortcomings in policy documents and action plans that require further discussion. The assessment outcomes demonstrate the necessity for integrating advanced impact tools that respond to technological and socio-cultural perspectives of AI. Noteworthy is the tension between technology aims and social preparedness, which Ejjami (2024) discovered and identified the problems of infrastructure readiness and digital literacy. Building on this gap, the study carried out by Berrami et al. (2023) helps depict the fact that even though professionals are using AI technologies, specific issues are related to human interaction and security data security. These results imply that more comprehensive strategies to enhance the AI application are necessary, which should consider the technical targets and people-focused elements.
Conclusion
Morocco’s experience in integrating AI into the country’s development processes while preserving its cultural strength is informative for other developing countries. The study’s argument embraces duality by addressing the aspects that relate to technological progress and cultural heritage. Future research will need to create frameworks to measure the impact of AI as it applies to culture preservation and social order, with more long-term research focused on the culture in the context of advancement. Some of the areas of concern are the need to apply unique tools and systems of artificial intelligence that suit the needs of the culturally sensitive people of the community without offending their culture. These findings are helpful for policy-making and practice in future digital changes, particularly for culturally appropriate interventions to promote employee psychosocial fit. Ibeneme et al. (2021) opined that in addition to technical assessments, it is advised that organizations must conduct cultural evaluations. As for this approach, it should be more practical, offering innovative solutions that are culturally sensitive.
Hayat Daghay, Behaviorist/Doctorate in International Psychology Organizational and Systems/ ABA
References
Bensalah, M. (2021). Toward an ethical code of AI and human rights in Morocco. Toward an Ethical Code of AI and Human Rights in Morocco, 1(2), Article 2.
Berrami, H., Serhier, Z., Jallal, M., & Bennani Othmani, M. (2023). Understanding and Use of Artificial Intelligence Among Doctors in a University Hospital in Morocco. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 309, 215–219. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI230781
Ejjami, R. (2024). AI-Powered Leadership in Moroccan Organizations: An integrative literature review. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, 6. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i03.19715
Elhazziti, M. A., Ferraz, D. A. C., Elazzouzi, E., Master, M., & Gomes, J. S. (2023). Digital Transformation in Morocco: Challenges and Perspectives. Journal of US-China Public Administration, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.17265/1548-6591/2023.02.001
Ibeneme, S., Okeibunor, J., Muneene, D., Husain, I., Bento, P., Gaju, C., Housseynou, B., Chibi, M., Karamagi, H., & Makubalo, L. (2021). Data revolution, health status transformation and the role of artificial intelligence for health and pandemic preparedness in the African context. BMC Proceedings, 15(Suppl 15), 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12919-021-00228-1
Jaldi, A. (2023). Artificial Intelligence Revolution in Africa: Economic Opportunities and Legal Challenges. Policy Cent. New South. https://www.policycenter.ma/sites/default/files/2023-07/PP_13-23%20%28Jaldi%20%29.pdf