AI Market Regulation: Türkiye Launches Strategic Sector Inquiry

The Turkish Competition Authority (RK) has officially launched a comprehensive sector inquiry into the artificial intelligence ecosystem, signaling a proactive stance on digital market fairness. Announced on April 8, 2026, the investigation aims to evaluate how AI—specifically generative models—is rewriting the rules of competition and transforming economic balances in Türkiye.

The Authority noted that AI is no longer just a technological advancement but a tool that can consolidate market power around data, computing capacity, and platform ecosystems. The inquiry will focus on the entire value chain, from infrastructure and base model development to final consumer applications.

AI Market Regulation in Türkiye: Focus on Computing Power and Data

A primary concern of the AI market regulation inquiry is the dominance of firms that secured early access to critical inputs. The Competition Authority highlighted several structural risks:

• Vertical Integration: Companies controlling multiple layers of the value chain (e.g., cloud computing and model development) may create “locked-in” ecosystems.

• Access to Inputs: The inquiry will examine whether innovative startups are hindered by a lack of access to large-scale datasets and high-performance computing resources.

• Market Entry Barriers: The Authority warned that early-mover advantages could lead to high entry costs, preventing new players from challenging established tech giants.

Addressing “Self-Favoring” and Innovation Risks

The investigation will scrutinize how large digital platforms integrate AI into their existing services. The RK expressed concern that such integrations could lead to anti-competitive behaviors, including:

• Self-favoring and Tying: Promoting a platform’s own AI tools over third-party alternatives.

• Exclusionary Tactics: Raising switching costs for users or restricting rival access to essential API infrastructures.

• Merger Oversight: The Authority emphasized that AI-related acquisitions are becoming a critical focus of merger control, particularly where data advantages or potential innovation might be suppressed.

Proactive Policy Development for 2026

The goal of this sector inquiry is to identify structural trends and anti-competitive risks at an early stage. By analyzing the interactions between big tech firms and innovative startups, the Competition Authority intends to shape future policy tools and intervention mechanisms. The move reflects a global trend among regulators to ensure that the AI boom fosters innovation rather than entrenching digital monopolies within national economies.

For the full Inquiry: Rekabet Kurumu