Morocco hosts international conference on AI and chemical weapons

Morocco, in partnership with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), is hosting the first-ever international conference dedicated to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The conference will take place in Rabat from October 22 to 24, 2024.

The event, co-chaired by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias, will bring together over 140 participants from 40+ countries, including experts from science, industry, civil society, and academia.

The conference aims to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the context of chemical disarmament and safety. It reflects Morocco's commitment to promoting international peace and security through responsible AI use.

Participants will explore AI applications in chemistry, ethical governance of AI, and its role in combating chemical terrorism.

Morocco has been a leader in AI governance, implementing the UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics and co-sponsoring UN resolutions on AI. With the US, it launched the «Group of Friends of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development» to leverage AI for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The OPCW, established in 1997 to implement the CWC, works towards a world free of chemical weapons. With 193 member states and a 2013 Nobel Peace Prize, the OPCW continues to prevent the re-emergence of chemical weapons and promote the peaceful use of chemistry.