Artificial Intelligence in Türkiye’s Business Landscape: The 2024–2025 Outlook

As of October 24, 2025, Türkiye stands at a turning point where artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a conceptual priority into a concrete driver of industrial transformation. The country’s business sector is actively integrating AI into strategy, production, and management processes, creating new competitive dynamics across industries.

National Strategy and Objectives

Türkiye’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2021–2025) and its corresponding 2024–2025 Action Plan frame the government’s approach to fostering AI-driven growth and innovation. Within this framework, the target for AI’s contribution to national GDP is set at 5% in 2025. The strategy defines several priority areas for strengthening the AI ecosystem.

• expanding the qualified AI workforce
• enhancing academic research capacity and institutional knowledge
• developing large-scale Turkish language models
• attracting international talent to Türkiye
• aligning regulations with the European Union’s AI Act

Through initiatives like the TÜBİTAK 1711 AI Ecosystem Call, the government has allocated over 215.5 million TRY to 41 consortium projects to stimulate R&D and collaboration.

Business Adoption and Executive Perspectives

According to a joint report by TÜSİAD and Bain & Company titled “Is Türkiye Ready for Generative AI?”, enthusiasm for AI adoption among executives is very strong. However, this enthusiasm often exceeds organizational readiness. Many firms continue to confine AI expertise to small, technical teams rather than embedding it company-wide.

This year has become pivotal for industrial implementation. As emphasized by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce President Şekib Avdagiç, 2025 marks the transition from experimentation to systematic integration. Business communities and sector associations are actively discussing use cases through platforms and events that encourage knowledge exchange across industries.

Investment Climate and Financial Support

Between 2019 and 2024, Türkiye attracted approximately 0.5 billion USD in AI-related investments. While modest compared with the global AI investment volume of 725 billion USD, the trend demonstrates positive momentum in public-private collaboration and targeted incentives.

Public financing mechanisms, including direct R&D subsidies and innovation grants, have become critical. The TÜBİTAK ecosystem calls are recognized by local and international investors as strategic enablers for high-tech entrepreneurship.

Skills, Workforce, and Transformation

Research by PwC shows that roles influenced by AI evolve approximately 66% faster than other occupations in terms of skill requirements. Türkiye’s labor market is adapting to this pace through upskilling programs and revised academic curricula. Success in this transition depends not only on technical training but also on reshaping workplace culture and leadership practices.

Regulatory Framework and Legal Alignment

Türkiye does not yet have an AI-specific law comparable to the European Union’s AI Act. However, regulatory adaptation is progressing steadily. Compliance and ethical-use guidelines are being formulated, with the national strategy emphasizing the creation of risk-based governance models and cross-sector standards that support responsible AI deployment.

AI Ecosystem and Collaboration Networks

The Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Initiative (TRAI), established in 2017, serves as the country’s main collaborative hub connecting businesses, academia, and policymakers. TRAI’s activities complement major events like the Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Summit, held on October 23–24, 2025, in Istanbul. These platforms bring together hundreds of organizations and thousands of participants, promoting business partnerships and international exposure.

Strategic Principles for Sustainable Growth

The success of Türkiye’s AI transformation requires more than technological investment. Sustainable impact depends on coordinated actions across four dimensions: corporate leadership, organizational structure, talent management, and operational culture. Experts emphasize that replacing scattered pilot projects with strategically prioritized, scalable implementations creates measurable business value and long-term competitiveness.

Conclusion

Türkiye has entered a mature phase in its AI journey, where both policy and industry actors are synchronizing efforts. For international entrepreneurs, this landscape offers significant opportunities: from co-investment in applied research and AI-enabled manufacturing to partnerships with local technology startups. As the ecosystem becomes more interconnected, Türkiye positions itself as a dynamic regional hub for the responsible development and commercialization of artificial intelligence.