Türkiye AI Summit to unveil vision, focus on 'remaining human'

Baykar Chair Selcuk Bayraktar announced Friday that Türkiye's national artificial intelligence vision will be unveiled at the Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Summit in Istanbul on Saturday, with the gathering expected to address both technical capabilities and existential questions regarding humanity's role in an automated future.

The defense industry executive said through the social media platform X that the summit would convene at Rixos Tersane Istanbul at 3:30 pm local time (1230GMT). "At the summit, where we will unveil our vision for artificial intelligence, we will discuss our civilization's horizon for the future and the importance of remaining human in an increasingly mechanized world," Bayraktar said, underscoring the cultural dimensions of technological development.

Defense industry context

Baykar, which Bayraktar leads as chairperson and technology leader, has established itself as a flagship defense technology company in Türkiye, developing unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced systems that have positioned the nation as a significant player in global defense markets. The summit represents the company's expanding footprint into artificial intelligence research and strategic technology planning.

Global competition

The event takes place amid intensifying international competition in artificial intelligence development, with nations worldwide racing to establish regulatory frameworks and industrial capabilities. Analysts note that formalizing a national AI vision represents a critical step for Türkiye as it seeks to expand its influence in high-technology industries beyond defense applications.