Morocco, serving as the current president of the Francophone Ambassadors Group (GAF) in Geneva, hosted a side event at the Palais des Nations on Monday to present its vision for the use of artificial intelligence in the military sphere, emphasizing the need to balance technological innovation with ethical, legal, and security considerations.
The event, titled “Artificial Intelligence and Disarmament: Ongoing Processes and Practical Applications,” was held on the sidelines of informal United Nations discussions examining the implications of AI for international peace and security, particularly in relation to autonomous weapons systems and emerging security challenges.
Organized jointly with the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), the meeting brought together representatives from international organizations, France, and Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces.
In his opening remarks, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and current GAF president, Omar Zniber, underscored the growing importance of artificial intelligence in global security debates. He stressed the need to integrate ethical considerations into discussions on AI applications amid evolving international security threats.
The event also provided Morocco with an opportunity to outline the key pillars of its approach to military AI integration.
According to Moroccan officials, the framework rests on three complementary dimensions designed to ensure data protection, respect for military command structures, alignment with national values, oversight throughout the AI lifecycle, and the preservation of meaningful human control over decision-making processes.
Morocco emphasized that advances in artificial intelligence must be accompanied by safeguards that uphold human-centered values, comply with international law, and address security concerns. Rabat also reaffirmed its commitment to actively participating in international discussions on the governance of AI in security and defense contexts.
The Moroccan approach reflects a broader effort to promote responsible innovation while ensuring that technological developments remain subject to human accountability and oversight.
Other participants echoed concerns about the rapid evolution of AI technologies. Henri Monceau, Permanent Observer of the OIF to the United Nations in Geneva and Vienna, called for governance frameworks based on transparency and the protection of fundamental rights.
Representatives from the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, France, and the International Committee of the Red Cross highlighted the importance of transparency, robust governance mechanisms, compliance with international humanitarian law, and continued human control over AI-enabled systems.
The discussions concluded with a shared call for a balanced approach to artificial intelligence in the field of disarmament, one centered on accountability, transparency, and international cooperation as governments seek to address the opportunities and risks posed by emerging technologies.
