Turkey's Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, presented the national Artificial Intelligence Action Plan at the Yapay Zeka Summit.
The initiative marks a strategic shift toward technological independence. By integrating AI into the national industrial framework, Turkey aims to move beyond traditional manufacturing to lead in high-tech innovation and global competition.
Kacır detailed a vision described as "Fark et, istifade et, üret ve yönet," which translates to notice, benefit, produce, and manage. This roadmap focuses on creating a self-sustaining ecosystem through large-scale investments and a nationwide education mobilization to train the workforce in AI and related fields.
To fuel this growth, the government will transfer 300 million dollars to venture capital funds [1]. This financial injection is part of a broader ambition to expand the country's entrepreneurial landscape. The ministry has set a target of 100,000 technology startups by 2030 [2].
The plan leverages Turkey's existing position as a regional production hub. Currently, Turkey's total exports amount to approximately 276 billion dollars, with 95% of those exports consisting of manufactured goods [3]. The government intends to use this manufacturing base as a foundation for AI integration.
Kacır said the plan is designed to ensure that the country does not merely consume foreign technology but develops its own proprietary systems. This approach involves a coordinated effort between the public sector, academia, and private industry to accelerate the adoption of AI across various economic sectors.
“Turkey aims to move beyond traditional manufacturing to lead in high-tech innovation.”
Turkey is attempting to pivot its economic identity from a manufacturing-heavy exporter to a technology developer. By targeting 100,000 startups and injecting significant venture capital, the state is signaling that AI is now viewed as a matter of national security and economic sovereignty rather than just a commercial tool.
