TUNISIA AI ROADMAP

Start date :2021

End date :2025

Name of responsible governmental body :

Ministry of inudstry, mines and Energy (MIEM;وزارة الصناعة والمناجم والطاقة)
National Research and Innovation Programme (PNRI;Programme National de la Recherche et de l'Innovation)
High Authority for Public Procurement (HAICOP;Haute Instance de la Commande Publique)

Description :

This Roadmap states objectives and proposes an action plan for the development of AI in Tunisia.

Objectives:

To raise awareness of the real challenges and possibilities of AI.
To acculture and demystify AI to facilitate its appropriation.
To raise awareness of impact on the transformation of jobs and the necessary skills of tomorrow.
To understand existing AI traps.
To strengthen the ecosystem to develop AI by addressing the main pillars of AI.
To develop AI skills.
To establish Infrastructure (cloud, HPC, etc.).
To adopt data policies, Open Data, and crowdsourcing platforms.
To promote networking activities.
To implement AI pilot projects in public and private sectors
To run open innovation initiatives
To develop "research to industry" projects
To promote AI techniques

OECD AI principle adressed:

Inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being
Human-centred values and fairness
Robustness, security and safety
Investing in AI R&D
Building human capacity and preparing for labour market transition

Relevant policy area covered:

Digital economy
Industry and entrepreneurship
Innovation
Public governance
Science and technology

Related to a theme:

National AI policies

Direct beneficiaries:

Incubators, accelerators, hubs
Civil society

Estimated budget expenditure (range per year):

Don't know

Background including shifts in the policy initiative:

Policy initiative is a structural reform:

Evaluated:

Link to evaluation or reports:

Public access URL:

Funding from the private sector:

Type of evaluation:

Evaluation provides input to:

Evaluation performed by:

Policy instruments :

Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities

Type : Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities
Name in English : In April 2019, the Ministry of Industry organized the smart industry forum around the theme: "AI as a lever of economic competitiveness”, an international conference which started the reflection around a national AI roadmap in the presence of national and international experts from the Tunisian diaspora.
Description : In April 2019, the Ministry of Industry organized the smart industry forum around the theme: "AI as a lever of economic competitiveness”, an international conference which started the reflection around a national AI roadmap in the presence of national and international experts from the Tunisian diaspora.
Country : Tunisia
Medium : Public events | Conferences, workshops and/or training courses
Aspect(s) being promoted : Other
- Other : AI roadmap
Type of activity : Informative (public awareness)

Project grants for public research

Type : Project grants for public research
Name in English : As per the Tunisia Artificial Intelligence Roadmap, in September 2019, there has been the launch of a PNRI project making use of artificial intelligence, Big Data and IOT: a two-year project, entitled "Smart Water Management - Case study of the Mornag basin" which aims to develop a real-time management system for water resources. The national research and innovation program (PNRI) is a funding mechanism managed by the Ministry of Industry and SMEs. Its objective is to improve the competitiveness of businesses through research and innovation. The program can finance up to 80% of the costs of R&D projects.
Description : As per the Tunisia Artificial Intelligence Roadmap, in September 2019, there has been the launch of a PNRI project making use of artificial intelligence, Big Data and IOT: a two-year project, entitled "Smart Water Management - Case study of the Mornag basin" which aims to develop a real-time management system for water resources. The national research and innovation program (PNRI) is a funding mechanism managed by the Ministry of Industry and SMEs. Its objective is to improve the competitiveness of businesses through research and innovation. The program can finance up to 80% of the costs of R&D projects.
Country : Tunisia
Who is providing funding? : Public private partnership
Type of activity : Applied research

Science and innovation challenges, prizes and awards

Type : Science and innovation challenges, prizes and awards
Name in English : In September 2019, the ministry organized with Insta Deep and Google an AI hackathon entitled "AI Hack Tunisia 2019". The hackathon brought together around 1,200 people from 23 countries and around 50 international experts specializing in AI. For the first time, the themes dealt with real data drawn from the challenges of Tunisian administrations and companies.
Description : In September 2019, the ministry organized with Insta Deep and Google an AI hackathon entitled "AI Hack Tunisia 2019". The hackathon brought together around 1,200 people from 23 countries and around 50 international experts specializing in AI. For the first time, the themes dealt with real data drawn from the challenges of Tunisian administrations and companies.
Country : Tunisia
Selection type : Ex-ante (based on a solution to a proposed challenge)
Type of challenge : Research challenge, i.e. centred on a specific domain of science or technology

Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities

Type : Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities
Name in English : “Industry 4.0 in Tunisia, a Transition on the Way”, is the theme of the second edition of the “Smart Industry 2020” that took place in February, 2020, in Tunis. The event is organized by the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII), in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and SMEs, the German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ) and the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA). The main theme is the importance of promoting and financing mechanisms for Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence for the Tunisian ecosystem.
Description : “Industry 4.0 in Tunisia, a Transition on the Way”, is the theme of the second edition of the “Smart Industry 2020” that took place in February, 2020, in Tunis. The event is organized by the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII), in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and SMEs, the German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ) and the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA). The main theme is the importance of promoting and financing mechanisms for Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence for the Tunisian ecosystem.
Country : Tunisia
Medium : Public events | Conferences, workshops and/or training courses
Aspect(s) being promoted : Skills for AI
Type of activity : Informative (public awareness)

Networking and collaborative platforms

Type : Networking and collaborative platforms
Name in English : The Ministry of Industry and SMEs signed in July 2020, with the Tunis Afrique Presse Agency (TAP), an agreement for cooperation and partnership in order to contribute to the promotion of new technologies, such as AI. Several activities were planned, such as training programs on Innovation and AI for journalists, and developing content on Science, Technology and Innovation.
Description : The Ministry of Industry and SMEs signed in July 2020, with the Tunis Afrique Presse Agency (TAP), an agreement for cooperation and partnership in order to contribute to the promotion of new technologies, such as AI. Several activities were planned, such as training programs on Innovation and AI for journalists, and developing content on Science, Technology and Innovation.
Country : Tunisia
Public access URL : https://www.tap.info.tn/fr/Portail_FR_Sciences_technologies
Focus : Technology-oriented | Other
- Other : Press-oriented

Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities

Type : Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities
Name in English : The Ministry of Industry and SMEs in collaboration with Innovi - EU4Innovation organized on July 2020 the webinar "Artificial intelligence, an instrument for economic recovery in Tunisia? "This webinar brought together a group of Tunisian and international experts and startuppers in artificial intelligence (AI), who tried to answer several questions aimed at defining the role of this innovative technology in preparation for the end of the Covid19 crisis affecting the economy. The discussed themes were : AI in Tunisia, where are we? What are the prospects for the development of Tunisian AI internationally? What possible ethics for AI?
Description : The Ministry of Industry and SMEs in collaboration with Innovi - EU4Innovation organized on July 2020 the webinar "Artificial intelligence, an instrument for economic recovery in Tunisia? "This webinar brought together a group of Tunisian and international experts and startuppers in artificial intelligence (AI), who tried to answer several questions aimed at defining the role of this innovative technology in preparation for the end of the Covid19 crisis affecting the economy. The discussed themes were : AI in Tunisia, where are we? What are the prospects for the development of Tunisian AI internationally? What possible ethics for AI?
Country : Tunisia
Medium : Social media | Conferences, workshops and/or training courses
Aspect(s) being promoted : Trustworthy AI (e.g. Transparency, Explainability, Fairness, Robustness and Security) | Societal impact risks (e.g. to privacy, democracy, environment)
Type of activity : Informative (public awareness)

Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities

Type : Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities
Name in English : The second in a series of webinars launched by the Ministry of Industry in collaboration with the Innov'i project, this webinar aimed to deepen the thinking of public authorities around innovation and technology as an economic stimulus. It is part of the national roadmap for public procurement of innovation, launched in July 2020 by the Ministry of Industry and SMEs in collaboration with all stakeholders - particularly including the High Authority for Public Procurement (HAICOP), the Ministry of ICT and the start-up ecosystem.
Description : The second in a series of webinars launched by the Ministry of Industry in collaboration with the Innov'i project, this webinar aimed to deepen the thinking of public authorities around innovation and technology as an economic stimulus. It is part of the national roadmap for public procurement of innovation, launched in July 2020 by the Ministry of Industry and SMEs in collaboration with all stakeholders - particularly including the High Authority for Public Procurement (HAICOP), the Ministry of ICT and the start-up ecosystem.
Country : Tunisia
Medium : Conferences, workshops and/or training courses
Aspect(s) being promoted : Trustworthy AI (e.g. Transparency, Explainability, Fairness, Robustness and Security)
Type of activity : Informative (public awareness)

Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities

Type : Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities
Name in English : The UNESCO Maghreb office and the Ministry of Industry and SMEs, organized a reflection workshop entitled "Inclusive Dialogue on the Ethics of AI" to draft international recommendations and establish a normative instrument on ethics of AI, that took place August 2020. The event was attended by Tunisian AI experts, such as start-ups, university researchers, and public officials.
Description : The UNESCO Maghreb office and the Ministry of Industry and SMEs, organized a reflection workshop entitled "Inclusive Dialogue on the Ethics of AI" to draft international recommendations and establish a normative instrument on ethics of AI, that took place August 2020. The event was attended by Tunisian AI experts, such as start-ups, university researchers, and public officials.
Country : Tunisia
Medium : Conferences, workshops and/or training courses
Aspect(s) being promoted : Trustworthy AI (e.g. Transparency, Explainability, Fairness, Robustness and Security)
Type of activity : Public engagement ( e.g. deliberative processes such as workshops, and working groups that allow for co-design)

Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities

Type : Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities
Name in English : The Ministry of Industry and SMEs organized in collaboration with the Innov'i project - EU4Innovation on January 2021 the webinar: "Financing innovation: a lever for Tunisian economic recovery?" This webinar gathered experts to discuss the access of funding for innovators and the establishment of a National System of Innovation. This webinar is part of the series of webinars aimed to raise awareness among politicians and decision-makers in order to accelerate economic reforms related to innovation and technology.
Description : The Ministry of Industry and SMEs organized in collaboration with the Innov'i project - EU4Innovation on January 2021 the webinar: "Financing innovation: a lever for Tunisian economic recovery?" This webinar gathered experts to discuss the access of funding for innovators and the establishment of a National System of Innovation. This webinar is part of the series of webinars aimed to raise awareness among politicians and decision-makers in order to accelerate economic reforms related to innovation and technology.
Country : Tunisia
Medium : Social media | Conferences, workshops and/or training courses
Aspect(s) being promoted : Skills for STEM
Type of activity : Informative (public awareness)

Public consultations of stakeholders or experts

Type : Public consultations of stakeholders or experts
Name in English :
Country : Tunisia

Last updated : Jan 12, 2024