With artificial intelligence (AI) taking center stage at Dubai’s GITEX Global tech trade show, Morocco has forged a strategic partnership to advance its digital aspirations. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of GITEX, involves the United Arab Emirates’ AI71 and Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform.
AI71 is an AI company launched by the Abu Dhabi government’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) in 2023, specializing in developing industry-specific AI solutions powered by the Technology Innovation Institute’s (TII’s) Falcon AI models. TII operates under ATRC, which oversees technology research in the emirate.
According to the event’s organizers, the partnership aims to bolster Morocco’s digital transformation agenda, aligning with its Digital Morocco 2030 strategy. The ministry and AI71 will work together to explore the adoption of AI-powered solutions that enhance citizens’ access to government services, ensuring a more user-centric experience for the public.
Reda Nidhakou, acting CEO of VentureOne, AI71’s parent company, stated, “We are honored to support Digital Morocco 2030 and to bring our AI expertise and solutions to even more people. Morocco’s government and start-ups have the potential to supercharge the national economy. Providing them with the right digital solutions will help ensure that many more people can benefit from AI’s transformative power. We look forward to seeing Morocco advance in its ambitious journey toward digitization and further solidify its position as a regional leader.”
As part of the agreement, AI71 will grant US$100,000 worth of computing power to four Morocco-based AI start-ups following a joint competition with the Moroccan ministry. The competition was launched at GITEX Africa earlier this year, inviting 200 start-ups to present their solutions to AI71 for a chance to receive computing power support.
Out of 35 participating AI start-ups, four winners—ToumAI, Heyy.ma, PostGoo, and Thinkable—were selected based on their novelty, technical feasibility, and growth potential. Each winning start-up will receive compute power through AI71’s API Hub, providing easy and affordable access to the Falcon series of AI models, enabling them to accelerate development, experimentation, and solution-building with AI.
AI71 will continue to monitor the progress of the winning start-ups and explore potential opportunities for further funding, support, and collaboration.
The 44th edition of the annual tech trade show is currently underway at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This year, GITEX has welcomed over 6,500 exhibitors, 1,800 start-ups, and 1,200 investors from more than 180 countries, reaffirming its reputation as a hub for future tech solutions.