Iraq’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced the establishment of two new colleges at the University of Baghdad: the College of Artificial Intelligence and the College of Excellence, both expected to open for the 2025-2026 academic year. The College of Artificial Intelligence covers engineering applications, biomedical technologies, and big data analytics. The College of Excellence covers data science, e-business management, and interdisciplinary fields. Additionally, the University of Warith al-Anbiyaa in Karbala has launched an AI department, and the Middle Technical University in Baghdad has introduced cybersecurity and AI courses. These developments follow the 2024 drafting of Iraq’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (INSAIN), which aims to integrate AI across healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and education.
Who it affects: University students in Baghdad and Karbala have access to new AI-focused degree programmes. The initiatives are concentrated in higher education in urban centres; primary and secondary school AI education is not yet addressed.
What is notably missing: Iraq has no enacted national AI law and no named AI regulatory authority with enforcement powers. The INSAIN strategy is a planning document, not legislation. AI education at school level (below university) is not covered. Infrastructure limitations and fragile public institutions constrain implementation. There is no requirement on employers to train workers in AI, and no civil servant AI training standard.