Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Summit to unveil AI vision in Istanbul

Selcuk Bayraktar, Chair of defense technology firm Baykar, is leading the Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Summit in Istanbul to unveil the nation’s AI vision. According to Bayraktar, the event focuses on the intersection of technological advancement and the preservation of human agency within an increasingly mechanized global society.

How is AI transforming defense and autonomous systems?

The integration of artificial intelligence into defense systems centers on autonomy and speed. Bayraktar, as the technology leader of Baykar, represents a sector where AI manages complex flight paths and target recognition. This shift reduces human reaction time but increases the reliance on algorithmic precision.

According to industry data from the IEEE, the move toward “autonomous agents” allows systems to operate in contested environments where communication with human operators is jammed. This creates a technical necessity for AI that can make split-second decisions without external input.

The Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Summit highlights this transition. The goal is to move beyond simple automation—where a machine follows a script—to true AI, where a system adapts to new data in real-time. This evolution is critical for maintaining a competitive edge in aerospace and security.

Why is “remaining human” a priority in a mechanized world?

Bayraktar stated via X (formerly Twitter) that the summit will address the “importance of remaining human” as mechanization grows. This refers to the “human-in-the-loop” (HITL) philosophy, a framework ensuring that humans maintain oversight of lethal or high-stakes AI decisions.

The risk of “automation bias”—the tendency for humans to favor suggestions from automated systems even when they are wrong—is a primary concern for ethicists. When AI manages infrastructure or defense, the loss of human intuition can lead to systemic failures that a machine cannot conceptualize.

Contrast this with the trend of “full autonomy,” where the human is removed entirely. While full autonomy offers maximum efficiency, the Türkiye AI vision emphasizes a balanced horizon. This approach seeks to leverage machine speed while anchoring the final moral and strategic authority in human judgment.

What are the broader future trends for AI integration?

The shift toward AI isn’t limited to defense. The “mechanized world” Bayraktar describes includes the industrialization of intelligence. We are seeing a transition from Generative AI (creating text and images) to Agentic AI (executing multi-step tasks independently).

For example, instead of an AI simply writing a project plan, Agentic AI can coordinate with other software, book resources, and manage timelines. This increases productivity but accelerates the displacement of middle-management roles that previously handled coordination.

Looking ahead, the trend is moving toward “Edge AI.” Rather than relying on massive cloud servers, AI processing happens directly on the device—whether it’s a drone in the field or a sensor in a factory. This reduces latency and increases privacy, a key requirement for national security visions like the one presented in Istanbul.

Read more about the future of robotics to see how these AI brains are getting physical bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of the Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Summit?
The summit aims to present Türkiye’s national AI vision and discuss the balance between technological growth and human values in a mechanized society.

Who is Selcuk Bayraktar?
He is the Chairperson and technology leader of Baykar, one of Türkiye’s most prominent defense technology companies.

What does “human-in-the-loop” mean?
It is a model of interaction where an AI system performs a task but requires a human to verify or approve the action before it is finalized.