In May, students at Moroccan universities and public and private institutes begin preparing their graduation research, with some using artificial intelligence as a means to achieve this goal easily.
The use of artificial intelligence in graduation research is a topic of global academic discussion, sparking debate among supporters and opponents. In Morocco as well, opinions vary on the credibility of the new technological revolution.
Morocco has started focusing on the field of artificial intelligence in academia, as revealed by Decree No. 2.23.14 complementing Decree No. 2.90.554 concerning university institutions and campuses, which announced the establishment of the National Higher School of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in Taroudant, and the transformation of the university annex in Berkane into a national school of artificial intelligence and digital technology.
Universities and institutes in Morocco aim to use programs to detect violations of literary property rights in students’ graduation research. The technological development of artificial intelligence programs raises questions among academics about the readiness of Moroccan universities and institutes for these challenges.
Academic Mohammed Baba Hida, who specializes in communication and modern technology, stated that verifying students’ use of artificial intelligence programs in graduation research is almost impossible.
In a statement to Hespress, Hida pointed out that a new program called Cloud 3 was launched last March, providing multiple services that students can benefit from in their research without the need to write any text themselves. He emphasized that Moroccan universities must be cautious and increase their vigilance on this matter.
The modern technology specialist called for raising awareness among Moroccan students about the use of artificial intelligence, so they can develop their personal abilities and not rely entirely on artificial intelligence to complete their research, but rather benefit from it ethically and positively.
The speaker emphasized that developments in the field of artificial intelligence, especially the Cloudy program, require Moroccan universities to provide other advanced programs for verification, indicating that dealing with students in this context requires educating them on intellectual honesty.
In the coming years, the graduation research system at public universities and institutes in Morocco will be suspended, according to a reform plan being considered by the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, with no official date set yet.
Abdellatif Komat, Dean of the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences in Casablanca, stated that artificial intelligence in academic achievement has become an uncontrollable reality, emphasizing that the aim is for the student to be actively engaged in their research, helping them improve and understand their academic achievement level.
Komat also pointed out to Hespress that Moroccan universities, in general, cannot control this matter, which remains the responsibility of the “research supervisor” to manage with the student.
The speaker stressed the importance of students reaping scientific benefits during their research preparation period, whether they use artificial intelligence or not. He indicated that in the future, graduation research in Morocco will not be considered obsolete, and research at the Master’s level will continue with special rules to protect it.
Dean of the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences in Casablanca stated that there are no means to detect students’ use of artificial intelligence techniques in graduation research, and this relies on the supervisor’s monitoring. He added that research verification programs set specific percentages for individual and intellectual work by students.
About a year ago, Cardiff University in Britain announced a review of its policies regarding rules and conditions of research writing after students admitted to using “Chatgpt” technology.
Mohammed Baba Hida and Abdellatif Komat emphasized the importance of changing supervisors for students’ graduation research in Morocco and updating their curricula and monitoring methods to align with developments in artificial intelligence programs.
Source: (Hespress)
