Here’s what you need to know about Türkiye’s AI roadmap

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will introduce the country’s new artificial intelligence roadmap on June 13 in Istanbul, marking a shift from planning to implementation under a strategy overseen by the presidency. The initiative consolidates efforts across government, defense, academia, and private sectors to strengthen Türkiye’s position in global AI development and accelerate digital transformation. The roadmap builds on the 2021–2025 National AI Strategy and focuses on integrating AI into critical sectors like budget administration, healthcare, customs, disaster response, and public services. Professor Erman Akilli of Ankara’s Haci Bayram Veli University describes the plan as ‘digital statecraft,’ emphasizing AI’s role in enhancing national resilience amid geopolitical risks and reducing dependency on foreign technology. A key priority is advancing AI in defense, particularly for unmanned systems, autonomous platforms, and secure communications, building on Türkiye’s existing strengths in drones and military tech. Domestic large language models (LLMs) will also take center stage, with projects like T3 AI and HAVELSAN’s MAIN platform aiming to develop Turkish-language AI solutions tailored to local needs. The strategy further targets modernizing public administration by leveraging AI to streamline bureaucracy, improve decision-making, and maximize data-driven insights. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will receive support to boost productivity and competitiveness through AI adoption, ensuring broader economic integration of the technology. The roadmap reflects a broader push for ‘digital autonomy,’ allowing Türkiye to design and deploy AI systems aligned with national priorities rather than relying on imported solutions. This approach aims to safeguard cultural and economic sovereignty while positioning the country as a regional leader in AI innovation.