Morocco’s digital transformation is accelerating, but a new national survey shows that artificial intelligence remains largely misunderstood among the public. According to the 2024–2025 ICT survey by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT), 61.4% of Moroccans say they do not know what AI is, even as usage surges among digitally active citizens.
The study, conducted between January 14 and February 14, 2025, covered 5,760 households across both urban and rural areas. Despite low awareness, familiarity is rising fast: four in ten respondents now recognize AI, and urban usage has grown sharply, with nearly one in three city residents having used at least one AI tool in 2024. This represents over 1.2 million new AI users in a single year.
Among those who used AI tools, more than 83% reported satisfaction, and nearly 99% of those familiar with AI consider it beneficial—though women tend to be more cautious, with 40% calling AI beneficial “with reservations.”
Public perception also reflects a strong grasp of AI’s global impact:
- 83% believe AI will intensify competition between countries
- 79% say AI will accelerate scientific research
- 76% believe AI can generate full texts independently
ChatGPT usage is notable, with nearly three in five users verifying its information, signalling rising digital literacy.
The rise of AI adoption mirrors a broader digital expansion. Morocco now counts:
- 31.5 million Internet users
- 30.7 million smartphone holders
- Nationwide mobile coverage of nearly 97%
Since 2019, Morocco has added over 7 million new Internet users, 7 million smartphone owners, and nearly 2 million newly connected households. Daily Internet use has reached 93%, social media is used by 98% of online citizens, and e-commerce has grown by 65% since 2019.
The ANRT report reveals a major insight: many Moroccans already use AI-driven applications without recognizing them as AI, highlighting a growing adoption but persistent awareness gap. The findings give policymakers the country’s first national baseline on AI perception and usage, offering data-driven guidance for future AI strategies.
