Casablanca: contribution of AI to improving health systems discussed

Casablanca, May 5^th, 2026 (CPA) – The contribution of artificial intelligence (AI) to scientific research and the transformation of African health systems was the focus of discussions on Tuesday in Casablanca, Morocco, among scientists under the theme: “Medical research in the era of artificial intelligence: data, models and trust,” on the second day of the “Gitex Future Health Africa,” organized by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sciences and Health. “As we are talking today about the AI revolution in all sectors, particularly in the health sector, it is based on three fundamental pillars: the data pillar, the models and algorithms pillar, and that of trust. Without quality data, we cannot speak of AI; without robust models that can be tested in multiple environments, there will be no clinical impact and no trust; and without trust, there is no adoption and no impact,” said Professor Jamila El Alami, Director General of the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) of Morocco. Indeed, medical research in the AI era raises major challenges: data quality and bias, privacy protection, model reliability, insufficient legal frameworks, and above all, the issue of trust among patients and professionals. These challenges are particularly sensitive in African contexts, where AI is seen both as an opportunity to bridge gaps in healthcare access and as a risk if deployed without safeguards. Panelists sought to understand how to move from AI research to supporting the reform of Morocco’s health system, as envisioned by King Mohammed VI, a reform based on public-private partnerships aimed at creating synergies, optimizing resources and reaching populations more effectively. According to the panelists, the development of scientific research through AI also represents an opportunity for African health systems to catch up with those of developed countries and to avoid the pitfalls they encountered during their development. “Understanding how AI-based research, grounded on the pillars I mentioned, will have a real impact on health systems across our continent is essential, given that African health systems place great hope in new technologies, particularly AI, to overcome current public health challenges. Whether this represents a true promise or an illusion will become clear in the future,” added Professor El Alami. The Mohammed VI Foundation for Sciences and Health (FM6SS) is a Moroccan non-profit public-interest institution established in 2023 to strengthen the health system and higher education. Its mission is to improve healthcare services, medical training and research, with planned nationwide expansion across the 12 regions of Morocco.