Türkiye's Baykar chairman calls for 'Technological Solidarity Alliance' against tech monopolies

'Techno-capitalist' domination

Selçuk Bayraktar, chairman and chief technology officer of Türkiye's Baykar, called on Saturday for the establishment of a "Technological Solidarity Alliance" among allied nations, warning that global technology monopolies increasingly threaten national sovereignty and human freedom. Speaking at the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul, Bayraktar said modern threats no longer stem solely from conventional military forces but increasingly from technological systems embedded in supply chains, data centers and consumer devices.

"Today we see that the greatest threat to our independence is not conventional armies amassed at our borders, but techno-capitalist global domination infiltrating our supply chains, data centers and even the devices in our pockets," Bayraktar said. He noted that algorithms used by social media platforms are increasingly designed to maximize engagement by exploiting emotional reactions rather than promoting truth, with artificial intelligence systems optimizing content around fear and anger to keep users connected to digital platforms for longer periods.

Mechanization of humanity

Bayraktar warned that the distinction between humans and machines is becoming increasingly blurred, risking a "dark age" in which humans themselves are rapidly becoming mechanized. "We are under the domination of a soulless rationalism and a materialism that recognizes no one's right to life and freedom other than its own. We are faced with an invasion of machines and machine-like humans," he said, arguing that technologies developed without compassion risk becoming instruments of destruction.

Criticizing the growing influence of global technology corporations, Bayraktar noted that giant technology monopolies seek to govern the world almost like "techno-feudalist fiefdoms." He emphasized the importance of open-source software and transparent digital infrastructure, advocating for federated learning systems that allow artificial intelligence algorithms to improve without transferring sensitive data abroad and warning that countries should develop independent ecosystems capable of protecting data privacy.

Alliance proposal

Calling for closer cooperation among "friendly, brotherly and oppressed nations," Bayraktar said countries should share advanced technologies and pool resources to reduce dependence on global monopolies. "We must establish an unshakable Technological Solidarity Alliance by sharing the high technologies we develop with friendly, brotherly and oppressed peoples," he said. "If we unite our strength, we can tear apart the spider web created by these monopolies."

Bayraktar said such cooperation should evolve beyond formal partnerships into a broader transformation in mentality and vision. He highlighted Türkiye's "National Technology Initiative" and the role of the TEKNOFEST generation in advancing the country's capabilities, noting that engineers trained through the festival are contributing to next-generation artificial intelligence systems and autonomous drone swarms. The SAHA 2026 exhibition was organized by SAHA Istanbul at the Istanbul Expo Center, with Anadolu serving as global communications partner.