The AI Higher Education Index 2026, published by 5W Public Relations, has ranked fifty universities based on their capacity to produce AI. The report found that twenty-five of the top universities are American, with four British, three Canadian, and three Indian institutions also making the list. Notably, no African or Arab university was included in the rankings. The index evaluates universities based on six pillars, including the presence of alumni and professors in leading AI labs, research production, and infrastructure.
The report highlights the concentration of talent, capital, and computing power in a few institutions. Stanford, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Berkeley dominate the rankings, with an estimated 54% of the technical leadership of leading AI labs concentrated in these four institutions. The report also notes that prestige does not necessarily predict a university's capacity in AI, with Harvard ranking 17th and Yale 19th. Furthermore, the production of AI is not solely determined by wealth or age, but rather by the density of researchers, capital, and computing power.
To understand Tunisia's position in AI, it is essential to consider multiple indices. The Oxford Insights index measures government preparedness to adopt AI, while the Global Innovation Index (GII) evaluates a country's ability to transform its resources into innovation. The GII has reported a decline in Tunisia's ranking, from 54th in 2019 to 88th in 2025, out of 195 governments. However, the GII tells a different story, with Tunisia gaining ten places in two years, from 81st in 2024 to 71st in 2026, out of 139 economies.
The GII notes that Tunisia's capital human and research sectors are performing well, with the country ranking 45th in these areas, significantly higher than its overall ranking. However, the link between research and industry in Tunisia is one of the weakest in the rankings. The country's strategy for AI in higher education is crucial in determining whether young researchers can thrive in Tunisia. For this to happen, there is a need for decently remunerated doctoral contracts, postdoctoral positions, and regular recruitment.
A plan for the strategic reform of higher education in Tunisia from 2015 to 2025 has ended without a publicly available evaluation. As a result, it is unclear what has been achieved or what has failed. The next cycle of reform is being developed without a transparent assessment of the previous plan. Furthermore, there is a need for modernized curricula, common transversal modules, and flexible habilitations to keep pace with rapidly changing technology.
The development of AI in Tunisia requires a comprehensive approach that involves multiple stakeholders. The creation of a public engineering school specializing in AI is a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to ensure that Tunisia can produce high-quality AI research and innovation. This includes investing in infrastructure, providing funding for research, and promoting collaboration between academia and industry.
Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment where young researchers can thrive and contribute to the development of AI in Tunisia. This requires a sustained effort from the government, academia, and industry to provide the necessary resources and support. By working together, Tunisia can overcome the challenges it faces and become a major player in the field of AI.
Key points
- No African or Arab university is among the top 50 institutions in AI globally, according to the AI Higher Education Index 2026.
