Türkiye sets new targets in artificial intelligence action plan: Erdoğan

ISTANBUL

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has unveiled Türkiye’s new artificial intelligence action plan, saying the country aims to become one of the leading nations in AI technologies.

Speaking at the Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Summit at Tersane Istanbul on June 13, Erdoğan said the plan would support Türkiye’s digital transformation and technological capacity.

“We will carry Türkiye among the leading countries of the artificial intelligence age,” Erdoğan said. “We will also make the Century of Türkiye the century of digital production.”

Erdoğan said political, military and economic power could no longer be considered separately from digital sovereignty, adding that data security and cyber resilience had become central to national strength.

He said Türkiye had recognized the importance of technological transformation early and had shaped its policies accordingly.

The new action plan is built on four main pillars: awareness, use, production and governance, Erdoğan said.

Under the awareness pillar, Türkiye will launch a national AI literacy program to help citizens better understand the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence.

Erdoğan said 5 million people would receive training under the program within two years.

The second pillar, focused on use, aims to expand AI applications in areas including public services, industry, education, health, agriculture and security.

Erdoğan said Türkiye would introduce legal regulations to ensure that data centers meet international standards and energy efficiency requirements.

The country aims to increase its installed data-center capacity to at least 1 gigawatt by 2030, he said.

Erdoğan also said at least 2 percent of public investment programs would be allocated to AI projects, with the public sector acting as an early buyer and reference point for successful domestic AI solutions.

SMEs will be supported through AI vouchers, particularly in health, energy and smart manufacturing, he said.

Under the production pillar, Türkiye will work to develop its own AI models and establish AI growth zones offering ready energy and infrastructure for investors, as well as rapid prototyping opportunities for SMEs and researchers.

Erdoğan said Türkiye would seek to build a stronger digital production base while managing the risks posed by AI, including disinformation, manipulation and cyber threats.