Türkiye intends to intensify its diplomatic and technical engagement in artificial intelligence, targeting the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements with at least five countries and memoranda of understanding with three international institutions before the end of 2027. These objectives are part of Türkiye’s Artificial Intelligence Action Plan for 2026–2030, coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
According to information reported by Anadolu Agency, the plan focuses on strengthening Türkiye’s role in setting global AI standards, facilitating the export of domestic products and models, and supporting its regional position. The channels for engagement include the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the G20, and the United Nations, as well as standards and governance platforms such as ISO/IEC, the International Telecommunication Union, and UNESCO.
From Agreements to Measurable Results
The stated objectives are not limited to the number of agreements signed. The plan calls for linking each cooperation effort to practical outcomes, such as forming technical working groups, adopting joint testing protocols, establishing mechanisms for mutual recognition of conformity, launching joint projects, or organizing the sharing of data and computing capabilities. Türkiye is also expected to begin mutual-recognition or conformity-assessment cooperation in at least three target markets, supporting the export of AI products and models.
Results will be tracked through annual progress reports. However, the sharing of data and computing resources will be subject to restrictions related to Türkiye’s Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK), international data-protection obligations, data sovereignty, national security, trade secrets, and intellectual property.
A Shared Model for Turkic Languages
The plan includes a project to develop a “Large Turkic Languages Model” in cooperation with at least two member states of the Organization of Turkic States. The project aims to cover the Oghuz, Kipchak, and Karluk language families, using shared infrastructure and benefiting from the participating countries’ high-performance computing capabilities.
The first version of the model is scheduled to enter the production environment before the end of 2027 for use in government services, education, translation, access to information, and cultural-heritage applications. Data contributions, intellectual-property rights, licensing terms, and commercial marketing will be determined by a joint governance mechanism.
Computing Infrastructure and Regional Partnerships
Türkiye aims to launch capacity-building programs with at least three regional partners and conclude agreements on shared computing infrastructure or data centers with at least two strategic partners by the end of 2027. It also plans to activate shared data catalogs or model-adaptation programs in at least two sectors.
Proposed areas of cooperation include agriculture, energy, trade, industry, and health, with priority given to partners from the Organization of Turkic States, the Gulf countries, and nearby countries with advantages in energy and connectivity. The plan also targets the creation of at least one regional AI program within the Organization of Turkic States, the D8 Group, or the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, benefiting at least 500 government employees, researchers, or entrepreneurs.
Why Does This Effort Matter?
The most important shift in the plan is linking technology diplomacy to exports, standards, and infrastructure, rather than limiting cooperation to general statements or events. However, the stated objectives do not mean that the agreements or the language model have already been completed; they are targets through 2027, and their impact will depend on the details of governance, data quality, computing availability, and the parties’ ability to turn understandings into usable tests and projects.
Türkiye positions Istanbul as an international gateway for AI and a city for investment diplomacy by hosting global events, investor meetings, demo days, and joint-development programs. Platforms such as Terminal Istanbul will be used as gathering points for these activities.