Rabat opened its doors this Wednesday to an international conference examining how artificial intelligence should be used within judicial systems, an event jointly organized by Morocco’s Court of Cassation and the Association of Francophone Supreme Courts (AHJUCAF).
More than forty magistrates, experts and legal officials from twenty-four countries gathered for the opening session, where Morocco’s Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation, Hicham Balaoui, set out a clear benchmark: artificial intelligence deployed in the justice sector must remain accountable and firmly rooted in the rule of law. He outlined a set of non-negotiable principles, among them the protection of fundamental rights, algorithmic transparency, freedom from discriminatory bias, safeguarding of personal data, and the ability to explain how automated outputs are reached.
Balaoui placed particular emphasis on preserving the central role of judges. While acknowledging that artificial intelligence can make court proceedings faster, more efficient and more accurate, he firmly rejected the notion of a fully automated judiciary or so-called « agentic » systems capable of rendering decisions without human oversight. In his view, no matter how advanced the technology becomes, human judgment must remain the final word in any judicial decision.
He also called for rigorous safeguards around confidentiality and data security, going so far as to recommend an outright ban on feeding sensitive case information into unverified or poorly secured digital systems. To manage the transition responsibly, he proposed a three-pronged strategy: establishing a clear legal and ethical framework, training judges and court staff in the practical use of these tools, and deploying only reliable technology that remains under constant human supervision.
International cooperation between supreme courts, Balaoui argued, is essential to building shared standards for a technology that pays no attention to national borders. The gathering, titled « Justice and Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Risks, » continues through October 15 in Rabat, with working sessions dedicated to comparing national experiences and exploring common regulatory approaches among AHJUCAF member states.
The initiative reflects Morocco’s ambition to position itself as an active voice in the global debate over regulating artificial intelligence, at a moment when judicial systems worldwide are grappling with how far automation should be allowed to go.
