Tunisia's Position in the Global AI Responsibility Index
Tunisia has been ranked 110th out of 135 countries assessed in the Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI) 2026, which focuses on the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in a responsible manner. With an overall score of 16.37 points, Tunisia ranks third among Maghreb countries, trailing behind Morocco, which holds the 63rd position globally with 35.62 points, and Libya at the 78th position with 29.24 points. Algeria finds itself at the bottom of the regional ranking, occupying the 123rd position with a score of 12.84 points.
This index, published by the Global Center on AI Governance in collaboration with organizations such as the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s AI for Development program, aims to assess the capability of states to develop, regulate, and utilize AI in a manner that is responsible, inclusive, and sustainable.
Assessment Criteria and the Regional Landscape
The GIRAI does not solely evaluate the technological level or industrial capabilities of nations regarding AI. Instead, it focuses on public policies, regulatory frameworks, citizen protection mechanisms, and conditions that foster ethical AI development. This year's edition highlights a strong European presence at the top, with Norway leading globally with a score of 75.26 points, followed by Italy at 72.71 points, and Ireland at 71.39 points. France and the Netherlands round out the top five, holding the fourth and fifth spots with scores of 70.32 and 69.51 points, respectively.
The dominance of European countries in the upper echelon of the ranking reflects their advanced strategies in implementing national AI policies, specific regulatory frameworks, and risk assessment mechanisms. Despite the rapid expansion of generative AI tools globally, the report underscores that many countries still grapple with limited, often non-binding regulatory frameworks that are challenging to enforce effectively.
The index assesses various dimensions, including inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, workforce and skills, trust and security, the use of AI in public services, dedicated public policies for AI, civil society engagement, and favorable conditions for AI development, such as infrastructure and institutional environments. The goal is to evaluate not only a country's ability to develop AI technologies but also its capacity to ensure responsible, transparent, and rights-respecting usage of AI.
Tunisia's performance, with a score of 16.37 points, significantly lags behind the global average, estimated at around 35 points. This classification reveals several vulnerabilities, particularly in formulating specific AI public policies, where Tunisia scored an alarming 0 points. Other indicators reflecting weaknesses include ethics and sustainability (9.61 points), workforce and skills (13.46 points), use of AI in public services (16.04 points), and inclusion and diversity (19.22 points). However, Tunisia performs relatively better in conditions favorable to AI development (49.22 points) and in the trust and security dimension (23.52 points), highlighting a paradox where the country possesses some favorable foundations, such as digital infrastructure and human capital, yet lags in establishing a coherent public strategy for responsible AI development.
In the Maghreb region, Morocco emerges as the highest-ranked country with a score of 35.62 points, placing 63rd globally. It shows strong performance in trust and security (52.23 points), favorable conditions (52.41 points), and workforce and skills (46.21 points). Libya, despite its unique institutional challenges, ranks second in the Maghreb with 29.24 points and 78th globally, outperforming Tunisia in skills (42.96 points) and AI policies (31.99 points). Algeria ranks last regionally with 12.84 points, particularly due to extremely low scores in AI policies (1.21 points) and civil society engagement (0 points).
As AI becomes a critical factor in economic competitiveness, administrative transformation, and innovation, the GIRAI 2026 ranking emphasizes the urgent need for Tunisia to enhance its national framework. The challenge extends beyond merely adopting new technologies; it involves establishing clear regulations for their use, training necessary skills, and ensuring that AI aligns with principles of transparency, security, and rights protection. In a context where numerous countries are accelerating investments in this field, the development of a structured national strategy emerges as a vital lever to prevent technological lag and strengthen Tunisia's position within the global digital economy.
As reported by lapresse.tn.
