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Türkiye launches AI strategic roadmap

Türkiye is drawing a roadmap for its strategy in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). AI can be defined as the actions of computers or computer controlled machines to realize decision-making, discovery of meaning, learning and so on in the unique dynamic environment of intelligent organisms. Therefore, the Presidential Proclamation on the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2021-2025 has been published in the official gazette.

This document was prepared by the Office of Digital Transformation of the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Industry and Technology in accordance with the 11th Development Plan. Within the framework of the vision of "Digital Türkiye" and "National Technical Action", Türkiye's priorities and steps to be taken in this field have been identified.

The goal of "Digital Türkiye" is to improve Türkiye's productivity and make it globally competitive through the use of digital technologies, products and services in social, economic and public activities and the value generated through data.

The National Technology Action aims to develop Türkiye's human and infrastructure capacity in order to truly produce high-tech products throughout the country. At the same time, the National Technology Action aims to strengthen economic and technological independence and implement policies and practices that will lead to breakthroughs in key technologies.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally wrote the preface for the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Erdogan pointed out that systems based on artificial intelligence have a fundamental transformative effect on production processes, daily life, and institutional structures, putting humanity on the edge of a new era.

Erdogan stressed that "the application of AI technology is expanding and is expected to have a greater impact on the global economic structure than the Internet revolution." In addition, the President also mentioned Ismail al Jazari, the founder of cybernetics, one of the great Muslim inventors and engineers in the golden age of Islam, and Professor Cahit Arf, who took the first step of AI in Türkiye.

Erdogan concluded by saying, "We believe that the time has come for our country to make breakthroughs in the field of artificial intelligence. We have the opportunity to integrate new technological and economic breakthroughs with our deeply rooted cultural experience through the design of artificial intelligence systems, adding value to the entire human race. This understanding includes developing and operating these systems in accordance with our common values

6 strategic priorities

The national artificial intelligence strategy is designed around six strategic priorities, namely "training artificial intelligence experts and increasing employment in this field", "supporting research, entrepreneurship, and innovation", "obtaining high-quality data and technological infrastructure", "making arrangements to accelerate socio-economic adaptation", "strengthening international cooperation", and "accelerating the transformation of the power system and enterprises".

The 2025 goals set in the strategy include the AI sector contributing 5% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing at least 50000 people.

According to the framework, international organizations will actively promote the regulatory work and standardization process in the field of cross-border data sharing, and provide reliable and responsible AI. At the same time, it aims to make Türkiye one of the top 20 countries in the AI index.

According to the strategy, it is expected that the market size of global AI spending will triple to about 50 billion US dollars (426.41 billion Türkiye lira) in the next five years. According to several studies, by 2030, artificial intelligence will contribute approximately $13 trillion to $15.7 trillion to the global economy and provide 13% -14% growth.

It is predicted that the data generated in the next three years will exceed the data generated in the past 30 years. Although the number of AI focused start-ups in the United States and China has reached 2000, the number in Türkiye is about 200. About half of Türkiye's AI initiatives are located in science parks (also known as teknoparks), of which 73% are located in Istanbul.

Continue efforts to prepare Türkiye's public institutions for the next generation of technology and have an effective decision-making process based on data. In this situation, a big data and artificial intelligence application department has been established within the Digital Transformation Office of the Presidential Office, and a National Technology Bureau has been established under the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

The Artificial Intelligence Institute of Türkiye's Science and Technology Research Council (TBITAK) has also been established to produce AI technology solutions by bringing together research centers from universities and the private sector.

The AI strategy is scheduled to be introduced to the public at the ceremony held in Informatics Valley of Türkiye's Science and Technology Innovation Base on August 24. Mustafa Varank, Minister of Industry and Technology, and Ali Taha Ko, Director of the Presidential Office's Digital Transformation Office, will attend the event.