UM6P Brings Together Experts to Tackle AI, Science, Sustainability at Arbois Roundtables
Rabat – The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat hosted the 15th edition of the Arbois, Atlantic Africa, and Mediterranean Roundtables on Monday.
This year's edition, under the theme 'Major Scientific Advances,' brought together researchers, scientists, academics, and industry leaders to discuss how science can help tackle today's global challenges, especially in areas like agriculture, climate, and technology.
Organized in collaboration with the OCP Group, CNRS, and Aix-Marseille University, the event featured a mix of keynote speeches and panel discussions on the ethical responsibility of science, breakthroughs in hydrogen-based energy systems, nanochemistry and geo-inspired nanoreactors, and sustainable agriculture through healthy soils. the 15th edition of the Arbois, Atlantic Africa, and Mediterranean Roundtables
The objective, UM6P says, is to 'combine perspectives in order to better understand how these discoveries influence lifestyles, economic organization, and political decision-making.'
Participants also explored the promise of fourth-generation nuclear energy, the epistemological shift in the digital age, and AI-powered early warning systems for natural disasters.
At the heart of the conversations was the role of science in shaping the future and how to ensure that society keeps up with its rapid pace.
Science needs dialogue
Daniel Nahon, founder of the Arbois and Mediterranean Roundtables, spoke to Morocco World News (MWN) about the importance of creating spaces where science and society can meet and reflect together.
'This event is essential for bridging the gap between science and society,' Nahon told MWN. 'Science now plays such a significant role in the development of societies that we must reconcile what we invent and discover with what citizens and society as a whole can accept.'
He explained that not everything science makes possible should be done, giving the example of using genome editing in unethical ways. 'We can't do just anything. We can't, for example, use genome editing to recreate a human being or play Frankenstein. So defining limits has become more crucial than ever.' Daniel Nahon, founder of the Arbois and Mediterranean Roundtables. Credit: UM6P
For Nahon, the roundtables are precisely about creating space for open dialogue, ethics, and reflection around scientific progress.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, economist and former French Minister of the Economy, was also among the keynote speakers. He spoke about how deeply scientific advances, particularly in artificial intelligence and genetics, are transforming the world.
'This conference… is of great importance as it addresses the profound transformations science is currently bringing about,' he said. 'Artificial intelligence is altering how we perceive truth and falsehood, while genetics is changing human nature itself, allowing for regeneration.'
Adapting to a new scientific era
However, he warned that our legal and institutional systems are lagging behind these changes. 'The main challenge lies in the fact that while science advances at an extraordinary pace, the legal and institutional frameworks evolve much more slowly,' he explained.
Strauss-Kahn believes scientists must work closely with economists and decision-makers, not to slow down progress, but to ensure that its impacts are understood and integrated into society. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, economist and former French Minister of the Economy
'While science should not be politicized, the political implications of scientific discoveries cannot be ignored,' he remarked
The event also focused on sustainable agriculture, energy, and environmental issues. Participants explored how new technologies, including artificial intelligence, can support better use of soil and ecosystems while also responding to climate and food security challenges.
Speakers and participants noted the need for collaboration across disciplines and regions, especially between Africa and the Mediterranean, to develop innovative and ethical responses to global problems.
The 15th edition of the Arbois Roundtables elevated the fact that integrating science into society is more urgent than ever.
Launched in 2008, the series of roundtables was initially held in France, but it has gradually expanded onto the international stage, with Morocco now a regular host. Speaker at 15th edition of the Arbois, Atlantic Africa, and Mediterranean Roundtables Tags: Arbois RoundtablesscienceUM6P
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