Türkiye is positioning itself as a major technology and artificial intelligence hub connecting Europe and Asia, supported by rising investment in digital infrastructure, a rapidly expanding startup ecosystem and a national push to develop advanced artificial intelligence capabilities
The country’s information and communications technology market is valued at approximately $38 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $58 billion by 2031, according to data released ahead of the inaugural GITEX Ai Türkiye 2026, which will take place at Istanbul Expo Centre on September 9 and 10
Türkiye has allocated $3 billion this year toward data centre and artificial intelligence investments and is seeking to attract a further $10 billion in private-sector funding to support artificial intelligence development and build one gigawatt of data centre capacity by 2030
The country is also expanding its artificial intelligence talent base. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced plans in June 2026 to train 10,000 advanced artificial intelligence specialists and 100,000 professionals capable of applying artificial intelligence technologies as part of the country’s Artificial Intelligence Action Plan
Türkiye’s startup ecosystem is also gaining momentum. Startups raised $559 million during the first quarter of 2026, more than seven times the amount raised during the same period a year earlier. The country currently has 114 technoparks hosting more than 13,000 startups, alongside more than 1,700 research and development and design centres
GITEX Ai Türkiye 2026 will bring together more than 300 technology companies and startups, investors, government representatives, industry experts and technology executives from around the world. The event is designed to support international investment, technology partnerships, advanced manufacturing cooperation and the exchange of expertise and talent across Türkiye and the wider Eurasian region
The event is hosted by the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, with GITEX providing the international technology and investment network behind the event
A. Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of Invest in Türkiye, said the country’s investment in data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure, together with private-sector capital, reflects growing investor confidence in Türkiye’s technology market. He also highlighted the country’s young digital workforce and expanding startup ecosystem as key factors supporting its ambitions
GITEX Chief Executive Officer Trixie LohMirmand said Türkiye’s position between Europe and Asia gives it an opportunity to become a major cross-border corridor for artificial intelligence and digital innovation, with GITEX Ai Türkiye intended to connect international investors and technology companies with opportunities across the country and the wider region
The event will focus on artificial intelligence, telecommunications and 5G, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data centres, financial technology, e-commerce, gaming, healthcare technology, mobility, quantum computing, green technology and smart manufacturing
International participation is expected from companies and organizations across South America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Confirmed participants include Google Cloud, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, NVIDIA, ASUS, Dell Technologies, Huawei, SAP and TrendAI, alongside Türkiye-based companies including Trendyol and Andevos
Halkbank, Türkiye’s state-owned bank focused on small and medium-sized businesses, will participate as a Platinum Sponsor, supporting the country’s technology and innovation agenda
Google Cloud is participating as the event’s Cloud Headline Partner following its plans to establish a new cloud region in Türkiye. The initiative forms part of a 10-year, $2 billion investment announced by Google in 2025 in partnership with Turkcell, which serves around 46 million subscribers
Alp Önder Güler, Country Manager for Google Cloud Türkiye, said the company’s participation reflects its long-term commitment to the Turkish market and its plans to bring advanced cloud and artificial intelligence technologies to organizations operating in the country
Hewlett Packard Enterprise and NVIDIA will participate as Gold Sponsors, combining enterprise infrastructure and accelerated computing technologies to support the development of artificial intelligence systems for businesses across Türkiye and the region. Other participating companies include fixcloud, Odoo, Sangfor, Redington and Forcepoint
Yasemin Doğrul, Managing Director of HPE Türkiye, said the companies are focused on helping enterprises move artificial intelligence applications from experimentation into production through secure and scalable infrastructure
Türkiye’s startup ecosystem will also be a major focus of the event, with more than 100 investors from 20 countries expected to participate. The investors collectively manage approximately $50 billion in assets and will meet startups operating within Türkiye’s network of technoparks and innovation centres
Participating technology hubs include UMV, İTÜ ARI Teknokent, Teknopark Ankara, Antalya Teknokent, Giresun Teknopark, Medeniyet Teknopark and YTU Yıldız Teknopark, among others
Muhammet Anıl Kaya, General Manager of Giresun Teknopark, said regional technology parks are playing an important role in expanding access to research, development and digital transformation beyond Türkiye’s major cities, while providing startups with access to international investors, markets and strategic partnerships
With rising investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, expanding access to capital and a growing pool of technology talent, Türkiye is seeking to establish itself as a regional base for artificial intelligence development and a gateway between European, Asian and Middle Eastern technology markets
