Turkey has increasingly become a country where artificial intelligence is widely discussed. Some argue that we are seriously lagging behind in the AI field, with others claiming that we are in a phase of rapid innovation. Frankly, I do not believe that either of these extreme views fully reflects reality. It is clear that Turkey is striving to make progress in artificial intelligence; however, it is still too early to say that this progress has carried us to the top ranks globally. Statistics indicate a certain dynamism in the sector but the “target point” has not yet been reached.
One of the most concrete indicators of this transition is the 2021–2025 National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The document includes goals such as increasing AI’s contribution to gross domestic product to five per cent, creating at least 50,000 jobs, and entering the top twenty nations in international AI indices. These targets are significant because they demonstrate that artificial intelligence is no longer positioned merely as a technical field in Turkey but as an economic and strategic issue. The real question, however, is this: Are we discussing the intellectual and institutional distance between setting a goal and actually achieving it?
Strategy documents provide direction; yet providing direction and realising transformation are not the same thing. The core issue is how these documents translate into practice.
At this point, it seems more meaningful to interpret artificial intelligence through everyday life. After all, transformation sometimes begins in daily habits before it appears in official texts.
I evaluate the transformation in AI partly through my own personal experience. Until a few years ago, I was someone who hardly used artificial intelligence at all. When I was preparing for the university entrance exam, AI was not as embedded in everyday life as it is today. Even when I chose to study computer engineering, I did not foresee how rapidly this field would grow. My decision of degree was driven more by curiosity and an interest in technology. Today, however, I can clearly observe how quickly AI has established a presence both in my own life and in the lives of those around me.
From the perspective of young people, artificial intelligence is no longer a “special” or “distant” technology; it has become a natural part of daily life. I frequently observe this within my circle of friends. When they are unsure about something, when they want to learn how to start a project, or when they wish to develop an idea, they turn to AI for support. Moreover, they use it not only to obtain information, but to genuinely produce something new. This mode of use feels quite natural to me, because for young people AI has become a companion in the process of creation.
For middle-aged and older generations, however, the picture is somewhat different. The concept of artificial intelligence is not unknown to them; on the contrary, most people have heard the term. Yet — compared to younger generations — their level of usage is more limited. AI is not at the centre of their lives; rather, it is a tool they turn to when necessary. The reasons may include distance from technology, established habits, or different priorities.
This transformation is, of course, not unique to Turkey. According to a 2024 report by IDC, artificial intelligence is expected to contribute approximately $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030. This projection demonstrates that AI is regarded as a force capable of transforming economic structures on a global scale. Therefore, when evaluating Turkey’s efforts in this field, it is essential to consider the speed of global competition as well.
At the launch event of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Ali Taha Koç, then President of the Digital Transformation Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, emphasised the importance of AI for development and stated, “AI isn’t an option for countries. It’s a must for development.” At the same event, Mustafa Varank, then Minister of Industry and Technology, underlined that rather than resisting technological transformation, the most rational course is to embrace and manage it. These statements illustrate that artificial intelligence is no longer positioned as an optional technology, but as a strategic necessity.
When we look at how this approach is reflected in practice, the steps taken by the state and various institutions stand out. National strategies, roadmaps, new university departments, and research centers are all components of this framework. Of course, it would be unrealistic to claim that all of these steps are flawless; yet it would also be inaccurate to suggest that nothing is being done. Even if their short-term impact appears limited, I believe they carry the potential to build an ecosystem in the long run.
Artificial intelligence is already a vast and multifaceted field. Considering how much it has transformed in just a few years, it is difficult to predict with certainty the direction it will take in the coming years. For this reason, evaluating Turkey’s position requires looking beyond the current snapshot. What truly matters is the existence of a mindset and institutional capacity capable of adapting to change. It is important to remember that historically, embracing science and reason has had a strong resonance in these lands. Fields such as artificial intelligence can be seen as contemporary reflections of this approach. Therefore, even if everything is not perfect, I believe that with the necessary intellectual and institutional transformation, Turkey can make meaningful progress in this domain.
In conclusion, Turkey is neither far ahead nor entirely behind in artificial intelligence. Rather, it is in a period of transition. While young people are rapidly embracing this technology, companies are gradually integrating it, and institutions are working to establish a framework. As both a university student and a member of this country, I observe this transformation closely. We may not yet be at the point we aspire to reach; however, what ultimately matters is not only how fast we move along this path, but the direction in which we are heading. Technological transformation is often measured in terms of speed, yet what shapes the future is the set of values, the educational approach, and the institutional capacity upon which this transformation is built. Turkey’s position in artificial intelligence will likely be defined not by the number of steps taken, but by their direction and continuity. In the end, it will not be the speed of transformation, but its direction that proves decisive.
