“I don’t think you’ll be able to replace the irreplaceable Khadija Ihsane...”
This is how Ms. Leila Benali, PhD, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, addressed the humanoid robot AYA during the 6th Annual Meeting of Women Engineers, organized by CFIE-AIEM under the theme “Digital Morocco 2030 — Opportunities & Challenges.”
“...but if you ever manage to summarize what I’m about to say, and above all convey the right emotion, then we might start discussing replacement.”
In less than two years, humanoid robots equipped with emotional artificial intelligence will be able to co-host events, support public services, present projects, and in some cases... replace certain interface roles.
Not to exclude humans, but to augment them, support them, and sometimes take over tasks with high cognitive intensity.
This symbolic exchange between the Minister and the AYA robot will remain a turning point, a moment where Moroccan female leadership opened the door to human-machine dialogue within institutional spheres.
Opening Session
The opening session brought together high-level figures:
- Ms. Leila Benali, PhD, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
- Mr. Khalid Safir, CEO of CDG Capital
- Mr. Abdellatif Zaghnoun, CEO of ANGSPE
- Mr. Omar Seghrouchni, President of CNDP Morocco
- Mr. Hicham Iraqi Houssaini, CEO of SAP Francophone Africa
Panel 1 — Strategic Perspectives
Strategic perspectives and directions for a digital Morocco by 2030:
- Mr. Ahouzi Youssef, CEO of PortNet
- Ms. Samira Gourroum, Deputy CEO of CMI Morocco
- Mr. Youssef Zahayer, Engineering Division Director, Holding Al Omrane
- Ms. Fatima Zohra El Ouerkhaoui, IS Director, ONCF Group
Panel 2 — Operational Models
Operational models for an effective digital transition:
- Ms. Samia El Hanchi, Organization and IS Director, Dyar Al Madina
- Mr. Khalid El Mouhajir, Director of Digital Development
- Ms. Fatine Ziane, IS Director, Redal, Veolia
- Mr. Zouheir Lakhdissi, AI Expert
- Ms. Zineb Bouba, Gender Expert, Ministry of Economy and Finance
