2nd Edition · Morocco's AI Forum

Women's Leadership in AI:
From Inclusion to Impact

"Empowering women to lead AI innovation, influence governance, and shape socially responsible AI for Morocco and the Global South."

Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Story Le Carrousel, Rabat - Morocco
MoroccoAI & GIZ WoMENA
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About the Forum

A transformative platform advancing women's leadership in artificial intelligence, jointly organized by MoroccoAI and GIZ WoMENA.

Building on the success of its first edition — "AI Policies: Between Innovation and Regulation" — the 2nd edition of Morocco's AI Forum deepens the conversation by focusing on Women's Leadership in AI: From Inclusion to Impact.

This second edition shifts attention to who shapes AI systems and to what end, recognizing leadership as a decisive factor in translating policy into real-world outcomes. It serves as a strategic platform dedicated to strengthening women's leadership in AI across Morocco and the broader Global South.

Grounded in the conviction that women's leadership is a catalyst for impact, the forum moves beyond symbolic representation toward measurable outcomes — recognizing women as designers, policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and users of AI.

The forum directly supports Morocco's New Development Model (NDM), Maroc Attamkine, and the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, including the AI Made in Morocco initiative launched in January 2026.

2nd
Edition
3
Thematic Panels
April
14, 2026
Event Date
100
Expected Attendees only on invitation

Forum Objectives

Conceived as a sustained knowledge-sharing and action-oriented platform designed to create lasting impact across countries and generations.

Promote Leadership

Advance women's leadership in AI innovation and decision-making across sectors and institutions, creating pathways for women to influence strategic technological choices.

Address Barriers

Tackle cultural, institutional, and structural obstacles specific to Morocco and the Global South that prevent women from fully participating in AI ecosystems.

Strengthen Governance

Encourage women's participation in AI governance, standards, and policy-making bodies to ensure inclusive and equitable frameworks for AI development.

Challenge Bias

Address social norms and gender bias in AI systems to ensure culturally aware, socially responsible technology that maximises positive human impact.

Facilitate Exchange

Enable South–South and South–North knowledge sharing and collaboration, creating bridges for learning and partnership across regions.

Build Foundation

Lay groundwork for scalable initiatives including competitions, hackathons, and mentorship programs that will extend the forum's impact beyond the event itself.

Expected Outcomes

Three concrete deliverables that will emerge from this transformative gathering.

01

Empowered Network of Women AI Leaders

An expanding Governance and Advisory Board of women AI leaders and allies, empowered to drive AI innovation within organizations, influence global standards, and shape inclusive AI across their countries.

02

Women-Driven Policy & Governance

Concrete policy and leadership recommendations, driven by women's insights, to influence AI standards, governance, and ensure socially responsible AI development tailored to cultural and regional contexts.

03

Foundations for Women's AI Impact

Strong foundations for the launch of action-oriented initiatives including competitions & hackathons, mentorship, and capacity-building programs designed to further women's agency in leading AI innovation.

Three Thematic Pillars

The forum is structured around three interconnected pillars addressing the full spectrum of women's leadership in AI — from societal trends and challenges to institutional governance and organizational power.

1
Panel 1

Women Grounding AI: Social Norms, Gender Bias, and Human Impact

Examine how women's leadership shapes AI systems that are socially responsible, culturally aware, and designed to reduce bias and maximize positive societal impact. Address the intersection of technology, culture, and human values.

  • How can women's leadership help identify and mitigate gender bias in AI datasets and algorithms?
  • In what ways do cultural and social norms influence AI design and deployment in Morocco and the Global South?
  • How can AI be leveraged to address societal challenges such as education, health, and inclusion?
  • What ethical frameworks and community engagement practices can women leaders champion to ensure responsible AI adoption?
2
Panel 2

Women Governing AI: Standards, Governance, and Trust

Explore how women leaders contribute to AI governance, policy, and standards-setting, ensuring ethical, inclusive, and trustworthy AI development. Examine the mechanisms for increasing women's participation in regulatory and governance bodies.

  • Why is women's participation in AI governance and standards-setting critical for inclusive innovation?
  • How do women leaders influence AI policy at organizational, national, and international levels?
  • What mechanisms can increase women's visibility and decision-making power in AI governance bodies?
  • How can public and private institutions collaborate to ensure gender-balanced leadership in AI standards and regulation?
3
Panel 3

Women Leading AI: Decision-Making Power and Organizational Transformation at Scale

Highlight how women in executive, technical, and strategic roles influence AI innovation, drive performance, and shape organizational decisions. Explore the pathways and practices that enable women to rise to leadership positions in AI-driven environments.

  • How do women leaders shape AI strategy, product development, and investment decisions within organizations?
  • What evidence links women-led AI teams to improved innovation, collaboration, and performance outcomes?
  • Which organizational structures and cultural practices best support women in leadership roles?
  • How can companies mentor and promote women into executive and board-level AI positions?

Program Agenda

A full day of high-impact panels, networking, and strategic dialogue — Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

To Be Announced

Speakers

An exceptional lineup of women leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators from Morocco and around the world.

Panel 1 — Women Grounding AI: Social Norms, Gender Bias & Human Impact
Prof. Jesko Hentschel
Affiliate Professor, Faculty of Governance, Economic and Social Sciences, UM6P
Prof. Aawatif Hayar
Expert in Frugal Social Smart Cities and Communities; Former Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family
Ms. Myriem Ouchen Noussairi
Head of Office - UN Women Morocco Country Office
Ms. Marielle Sander
Representative, United Nations Population Fund - UNFPA
Prof. Abdessamad Fatmi
Founder and CEO, Erudite Counseling
Prof. Cornelia C. Walther
Senior Fellow, Harvard Learning and Innovation Lab
Panel 2 — Women Governing AI: Standards, Governance & Trust
+
Speakers
To Be Announced
Panel 3 — Women Leading AI: Decision-Making Power & Organizational Transformation
+
Speakers
To Be Announced

Organizers & Partners

The forum is jointly organized by MoroccoAI and GIZ WoMENA (German Cooperation), with support from key institutional partners.

A leading non-profit organization dedicated to advancing AI research, education, and implementation across Morocco. Through partnerships with academia, industry, and government, MoroccoAI has established itself as a crucial bridge between global AI advancements and local implementation.
A regional initiative implemented by GIZ and funded by the german Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, WoMENA promotes gender-responsive and inclusive politics and economies across the Middle East and North Africa. The project strengthens women's political participation and economic empowerment by supporting civil society, institutions, and change agents working toward gender equality.

Venue

Join us in the heart of Morocco's capital city for a day of transformative dialogue.

Story Le Carrousel

Rabat, Morocco

An elegant and contemporary venue in Rabat, Morocco's capital, offering an inspiring setting for high-level dialogue and networking among leaders, policymakers, and innovators.

Story Le Carrousel, Rabat – Morocco
Tuesday, 14 April 2026 | 09:00 – 17:00

Join Us in Shaping the Future

The Forum invites leaders, policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and advocates to join this transformative movement. Together, we will empower women to lead AI innovation, influence governance, and shape inclusive AI for all of society.

team@morocco.ai www.morocco.ai
Download Concept Note