The Artificial Intelligence Training Introduction Program, organized by the Information Technologies and Internet Security Association (BTİDER), was held under the auspices of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority. The program, attended by Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, and Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, discussed the use of artificial intelligence technology and the opportunities it offers.
In his opening speech at the program, Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, stated that with the rapid advancement of technology, it has become imperative for every sector to evaluate the opportunities provided by digitalization and smart technologies.
Sayan said, “We are benefiting from artificial intelligence in all sectors you can think of, such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and communication. Technology is pushing the boundaries of human imagination, and in doing so, it is opening up entirely new horizons. The fact that technology is staking a claim on every task performed by the human mind positions technology, and especially information technologies, in a highly strategic place.”
Stating that artificial intelligence and cloud computing are two inseparable components, Sayan said, “As artificial intelligence technology advances, cloud technology is also advancing to higher levels, and the intimacy between them is reflected in all technological developments. This also contributes to the rapid progress of technology and our steps toward a smarter future.”
Emphasizing the importance of using domestic and national resources in Turkey's digital transformation process for both independence and global competitiveness, Sayan said, “At this very point, the 'National Technology Initiative' we launched under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan comes into play. With the awareness of domestic and national production, we continue our investments not only in technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing but also in other advanced technologies of the future. In the digital age, the fundamental condition for existence and achieving a strong position in global competition is no longer just consuming these technologies, but producing and developing them.”
Sayan, who stated that security is another topic as important as technological achievements in the development of artificial intelligence, concluded his speech by saying, “At this point, the efforts of our National Cyber Incident Response Center are invaluable. With domestically and nationally developed software such as AVCI, AZAD, KASIRGA, ATMACA, and KULE, developed entirely with our own resources, it becomes possible to detect, analyze compromised or malware-infected systems, and intervene in the shortest time. Thanks to these applications, attacks are detected at the initial stage and necessary measures are taken promptly.”
President Karagözoğlu: We Must Be a Country That Produces Its Own in Artificial Intelligence and All Technological Matters
Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, stated in his speech that examining the rise of artificial intelligence over the last 10 years shows that it is directing the 4th Industrial Revolution and that this situation is structurally changing the production, delivery, and consumption of services.
Emphasizing the importance of technological independence, Karagözoğlu said, “Being independent in technology is vital not only for economic prosperity but also for ensuring our security. For this reason, we must be a country that produces its own in all technological matters, including artificial intelligence. The surest way to eliminate security risks is to develop and manage technology without external dependency. In this direction, domestic and national software plays a critical role.”
Karagözoğlu said, “The National Cyber Incident Response Center (USOM), established within our institution and referred to as 'Turkey's cyber fortress,' operates 24/7 with our domestically and nationally developed software, entirely created with internal institutional resources, to enhance the cyber security awareness across the country and prevent cyber threats.”
Stating that education is one of the most important elements in establishing a healthy and sustainable security ecosystem, Karagözoğlu concluded his speech by saying, “In this context, with our pride and joy BTK Academy, we are providing training in artificial intelligence, coding, programming, and software to a large number of young people, striving to build a solid foundation. The BTK Academy family continues to develop day by day.”