Morocco is represented at this two-day gathering by Latifa Akharbach, President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) and outgoing RIARC President, along with Yassir Ghorbal and Mohamed Laroussi, members of the Higher Council for Audiovisual Communication.

The conference’s opening session, attended by the Moroccan Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Abdelmalek Kettani, members of the Ivorian government, and other dignitaries, offers participants a platform to exchange views on the latest developments in AI regulation, considering regional and global initiatives.

A central focus of this conference, initiated by Côte d'Ivoire's HACA, is to establish a regulatory framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the audiovisual and digital communication sectors in Africa.

The Abidjan conference presents an opportunity to discuss best practices, ethical challenges, and strategies tailored to AI regulation in the context of African audiovisual and digital communication. Participants will assess the state of AI regulation in Africa and propose a regulatory framework for AI in these sectors across the continent.

Speaking on behalf of Côte d'Ivoire’s Prime Minister, Communication Minister and government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly praised the Moroccan HACA’s efforts. He commended its "courage, realism, and dedication" during its RIARC leadership in addressing complex issues related to audiovisual communication regulation in Africa.

On a different note, Coulibaly emphasized the importance of this conference in fostering discussions on the challenges and innovations in the audiovisual communication sector in the AI era. He highlighted that regulating AI in this field is a major challenge for democracies, especially during election periods when "the risk to social stability is real, and the manipulation and dissemination of false information can sow discord and even violence."

René Bourgoin, President of Côte d'Ivoire’s HACA, stated that this conference builds on the discussions from the 10th CIRCAF, held two years ago in Morocco, which focused on "the evolving African audiovisual landscape: trends and new challenges."

While AI is transforming the audiovisual and digital landscape, raising numerous questions, Bourgoin pondered how transparency and fairness in using this technology could be ensured, and how citizens' rights could be protected in this new digital ecosystem.

Other speakers unanimously noted that the continent stands at a crossroads in an era marked by the growing prominence of AI. They emphasized that this tool represents a digital revolution with profound implications across various sectors, including digital communication.

They also highlighted that unlike traditional content production methods—which require significant human resources, specialized technical skills, and high costs—AI offers numerous advantages, such as improved efficiency and faster content generation.