الثلاثاء، 25 فبراير 2025 
✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | May 20, 2024 — During a speech at the Sidi Abdallah University Hub in western Algiers, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune addressed various topics, including a pointed response to allegations made by Moroccan TV channel Medi1. This speech was part of the commemoration of National Student Day on Sunday, May 19.
Responding to accusations from Medi1 that Algeria used artificial intelligence to produce fake images of wheat harvesting in the Algerian Sahara, President Tebboune humorously remarked, “Some, when they saw the Sahara turning green and producing wheat, accused us of using artificial intelligence.” He added, “It’s not a problem. If artificial intelligence brings us wheat, it is welcome,” emphasizing Algeria’s efforts to become self-sufficient in food production. His witty retort quickly gained traction on Algerian social media.
Since the beginning of the wheat harvest campaign in southern Algeria, Algerian media have ramped up coverage of the preparations and progress, announcing an abundant yield this year. State-run Algerian TV aired footage showing long lines of trucks heading to the Adrar province, one of the country’s main granaries.
The controversy began when Medi1 journalist Hanane Tsouri cast doubt on the authenticity of the images, accusing Algerian TV of using “artificial intelligence” to fabricate them. In response, Algerian TV broadcast additional reports featuring extensive footage of the wheat harvest operations in various Saharan regions such as Timimoun, El Ménéa, and Illizi.
These accusations come at a time when Algeria is poised to surpass Morocco as North Africa’s leading wheat producer. According to figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published on May 10, Algeria is expected to produce 3 million tons of wheat this year, compared to Morocco’s 2.5 million tons. Morocco’s production has decreased by 40% due to the 2023 drought and its export-oriented agricultural model.
Diplomatic relations between Algeria and Morocco have been severed since August 2021, following a series of “hostile acts” by the kingdom towards Algeria.
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