Turkey’s AI Surge in 2026: #TürkiyeYapayZeka and Beyond

Overview

Turkey’s AI scene entered a new phase of maturity in 2026.

A coordinated national strategy, heavy investment in Türkçe language models, and a vibrant startup ecosystem drove this growth.

The hashtag #TürkiyeYapayZeka became a rallying point for researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.

This post explores key developments shaping Turkey’s AI trajectory, offers concrete examples, and provides actionable takeaways for stakeholders.

National AI Strategy 2026‑2030

In early 2026, the Turkish government unveiled the refreshed National AI Strategy 2026‑2030.

It builds on the 2023 framework.

The strategy earmarks ₺120 billion for AI research, infrastructure, and talent development over the next five years.

Key pillars include:

Funding and Infrastructure

• National AI Compute Center (NAICC): Petascale supercomputer in Ankara, operational Q1 2026, offers free GPU time for academic projects and startups on Turkish language models.
• Innovation Grants: Over 350 grants awarded to SMEs building AI‑powered SaaS tools for remote work, he