Morocco is notably absent from the global artificial intelligence (AI) surge, according to Stanford University’s newly released AI Index 2025, raising alarms over the country’s readiness for the digital future.
The annual report, a comprehensive 400-page publication analyzing AI’s worldwide impact on jobs, regulation, talent, and research, shows Morocco falling behind across nearly all major AI indicators, including job creation, legislation, and talent development.
While Singapore, Luxembourg, and Hong Kong saw up to 3.2% of job listings in 2024 requiring AI skills, Morocco failed to register in the data set. Even in the United States, AI-linked job postings increased from 1.4% in 2023 to 1.8% in 2024, reflecting a clear shift in labor market dynamics.
On the AI talent front, Morocco again lags. Using LinkedIn data, the report found that only countries with active AI ecosystems—like Israel (2.0%), Singapore (1.6%), and Luxembourg (1.4%)—were producing significant AI-skilled professionals. Meanwhile, India, Costa Rica, and Portugal recorded explosive growth in AI talent since 2016, with increases of over 200%.
Morocco was also missing from the global legislative map. Since 2016, 116 countries have enacted some form of AI law or policy, with leaders like France, Canada, Brazil, the UAE, and South Korea putting in place comprehensive regulatory frameworks. Morocco has yet to pass any formal AI legislation, a move experts say could slow innovation and leave the country vulnerable to external digital pressures.
The Stanford report warns that countries not investing in AI infrastructure now risk long-term economic and technological marginalization.
“AI is not just a technology—it’s an engine of global competitiveness. Countries that hesitate will find it harder to catch up,” the report stresses.
The data comes as other African nations, such as South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria, begin to ramp up their AI investments through government initiatives, tech hubs, and education reforms.
While Morocco has some emerging efforts, such as the Evosport initiative promoting AI in sports and occasional pilot programs in public administration and agriculture, these remain scattered and underfunded.
With AI set to reshape sectors from healthcare and education to security and governance, Stanford’s AI Index 2025 is a wake-up call for Moroccan policymakers, researchers, and investors.
The message is clear: to avoid digital dependency and economic lag, Morocco must build an AI strategy now—complete with legislation, education, and infrastructure—or risk being left behind in a rapidly evolving global order.
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