Istanbul set to host GITEX AI 2026 tech expo in September

Istanbul Exhibition Center will host the global GITEX AI 2026 expo on Sept. 9-10, bringing together more than 300 technology firms and startups alongside government officials and investors as Türkiye moves to expand its $38 billion information and communications technology market.

Global tech giants confirm participation

The event, organized by inD — a joint venture between Dubai World Trade Center and Informa — will feature confirmed participants including Google Cloud, HPE, Nvidia, ASUS, Dell Technologies, SAP, TrendAI, Trendyol and Andevos. Halkbank serves as the platinum sponsor for the gathering, which is hosted by Türkiye’s Investment and Finance Office in partnership with the Industry and Technology Ministry. Anadolu Agency is the global communications partner for the expo.

Officials highlight strategic momentum

Burak Daglioglu, head of the Turkish Investment and Finance Office, said in a statement that the country’s growing data center and AI efforts are powered by young talent. "Türkiye's growing data center and AI efforts in its tech ecosystem are powered by young talent," he said, adding that the upcoming event is expected to showcase this momentum to the world.

GITEX CEO Trixie LohMirmand stated that the expo aims to strengthen Türkiye’s and the Eurasian region’s role in the global AI ecosystem. "The expo aims to strengthen Türkiye's and the Eurasian region's role in the global AI ecosystem," she said. Alp Onder Guler, Google Cloud’s Türkiye country manager, noted that his company’s participation indicates long-term commitment to the country and that bringing advanced cloud and AI technology would empower firms to thrive in the era of autonomous AI.

Sector targets expansion

Türkiye’s information and communications technology market is projected to reach $38 billion this year and $58 billion by 2031, while the country aims to establish one gigawatt of data center capacity by 2030. The government has allocated $3 billion to data centers and AI this year, with plans to mobilize $10 billion in private funding. The expo noted that Türkiye’s startup ecosystem attracted $559 million in investments in the first quarter, while over 13,000 startups operate in some 114 technoparks nationwide and more than 1,700 research and development centers are in operation.