2026: The Year of Singularity
Karim Beguir set the tone for the AI Infrastructure Forum held on May 19 in Tunis with the phrase "2026, c'est l'année de la singularité" ("2026 is the year of singularity"). As the founder of InstaDeep, Beguir believes that artificial intelligence has entered an unprecedented acceleration phase, capable of transforming global economic balances much faster than expected. According to him, "in one month in 2026, we have as much progress as six months to a year five years ago."
A Geopolitical and Economic Challenge
However, behind this technological acceleration, the real challenge discussed during the event is geopolitical and economic: does Tunisia still have a window of opportunity to position itself in the new global AI value chain? Karim Beguir estimates that yes, but for a very limited time. According to him, the next 24 months will be decisive.
Vertical Progress in AI
In his intervention, Beguir explained that AI progress is no longer linear but "vertical." New intelligent agents capable of performing complex cognitive tasks are gaining autonomy rapidly. He cited recent advances in programming, where certain systems have gone from six hours of autonomy to nearly 17 hours in just a few months. According to him, December 2025 marks an even more significant breakthrough than the arrival of OpenAI in 2022, as AI is now deeply transforming production modes.
Transformation of Physical Tasks
This transformation also affects physical tasks. Karim Beguir discussed the rapid progress of autonomous robots in logistics and industrial environments, estimating that the gap with human performance is narrowing significantly. However, beyond the technology itself, the founder of InstaDeep emphasized another shift: the strategic resource of the 21st century is no longer just data, but computing power. According to him, 90% of this global capacity is currently controlled by the United States and China, a concentration he considers historic. This global competition explains the explosion of investments in AI infrastructure and data centers. According to figures shared during the forum, American investments in this field would reach nearly $700 billion this year.
Energy: The Key to the Global Battle
However, this rise of AI reveals a new limit: energy. Karim Beguir indicated that data centers already account for around 7% of the United States' electricity consumption. For him, energy capacity has become the primary limiting factor in AI development. It is precisely on this point that Tunisia could find a strategic opportunity. The founder of InstaDeep advocated for a Tunisia capable of transforming its solar potential into computing power and artificial intelligence. According to him, about 4% of the Tunisian desert could theoretically cover up to 10% of Europe's energy needs. However, the goal would not be simply to export electricity.
Transforming Energy into Intelligence
"The most refined product in history is intelligence," he declared, calling for the transformation of local energy into computing capabilities, data centers, and high-value-added AI services. Beguir's vision is for Tunisia to leverage its energy resources to become a hub for AI development and innovation, rather than just exporting raw energy. This approach could enable the country to position itself in the global AI value chain and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the accelerating technological landscape.
