The Artificial Intelligence Summit in Telecommunications, organized by BTK Academy, was held by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority. Participants included Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority.
In his opening speech at the summit, Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, stated that artificial intelligence is driving major innovations in many sectors such as health, defense, communication, finance, manufacturing, transportation, and postal services.
Emphasizing that artificial intelligence and telecommunications cannot be considered separately, Sayan said, “Telecommunications is not just a communication tool; it is the backbone of digital development, the infrastructure of smart cities, and the digital arm of our defense industry, none of which can be thought of apart from artificial intelligence. In other words, we go beyond cables and satellites; we carry and transmit our nation's voice, knowledge, and future.”
Stating that Turkey is preparing to usher in a new era of connectivity with its accelerated efforts toward 5G deployment built on the success of 4.5G, Sayan said, “Our country is continuing its work on 5G at full speed. As a result of our efforts, preparations for the 5G spectrum auction planned for 2025 include the allocation of the 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz bands, and we aim for commercial use to begin in 2026.”
Highlighting the increasing importance of the concept of data amid technological transformations, Sayan stated, “Thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms shaped by data collected from all over the world, we live in an ecosystem that both simplifies our daily lives and supports our strategic decisions. For this reason, data security and privacy are not just a preference, but a necessity. In other words, we must now protect our secrets. All our secrets must remain within national borders.”
Noting that wars are now conducted not only on the physical battlefield but also in the digital world through data, Sayan said, “Our data has become our digital identity. And these digital spaces are fortresses that must be protected against cyber attacks. USOM, referred to as our country's ‘cyber fortress,’ comes into play at this point. With software entirely produced from domestic resources, we protect our country's digital borders 24/7.”
Explaining their goal of having young people closely connected to and leading in technology in the digital world, Sayan said, “It is with this vision that we established BTK Academy. And we are glad we did. I can proudly say that BTK Academy today has over 2.5 million users, setting an unprecedented example in the public sector.”
Sayan concluded his speech by saying, “In BTK Academy, we offer young people a variety of tools and opportunities to develop themselves, learn to code, specialize in cybersecurity, increase their digital literacy, and even enhance their artificial intelligence literacy.”
President Karagözoğlu: Artificial Intelligence Brings Revolutionary Transformations in Communication Technologies
BTK President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu also stated in his speech that artificial intelligence is the key actor in a paradigm shift that fundamentally transforms societal structures and communication methods.
Karagözoğlu said, “Communication infrastructures and telecommunications services are also closely linked with artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence brings revolutionary transformations both in the infrastructure and user experience of communication technologies. In this regard, Turkey's telecommunications sector continues to advance day by day with its strong infrastructure, regulatory reforms, and population of over 85 million tech-savvy individuals.”
Conveying that work on 5G is progressing rapidly, Karagözoğlu said, “Thanks to the 5GTR Forum established by us, we brought together government, academia, and industry leaders such as Turkcell, Vodafone, and Ericsson, localized 5G solutions, and provided connectivity to rural areas. Our efforts to improve this further continue. Our 2024–2028 Strategic Plan offers us the opportunity to outline an ambitious roadmap for 5G, prioritizing the development and production of 5G equipment by domestic designers, engineers, and workforce.”
Emphasizing the importance of investing in human resources during the digital transformation process, Karagözoğlu concluded his speech by saying, “BTK Academy, operating under BTK, is the apple of our eye. Since its establishment, we continue to offer comprehensive training programs to our youth in areas such as artificial intelligence, software, cybersecurity, and safe internet.”
The summit concluded with the “Artificial Intelligence in Telecommunications” panel, featuring all female speakers, held on the occasion of “International Girls in ICT Day,” celebrated every April to encourage girls to pursue careers in information and communication technologies.