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AI Boom in Turkey: Individual Use Soars While Corporate Transformation Still Lags

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Recent data from Deloitte and Implement Consulting Group reveal a striking trend: Turkey is surpassing global averages in individual usage of generative artificial intelligence (AI), while corporations remain cautious. Experts predict that the true digital transformation will unfold over the next five years, potentially reshaping Turkey’s economy and labor market.

Turkey’s Generative AI Usage 42% Above Global Average

According to Deloitte’s 2023 report, Turkey ranks well above the global average in terms of personal adoption of generative AI technologies.

  • 72% of users engage with AI for personal use

  • 51% for educational purposes

  • 34% for work-related tasks

Istanbul leads the charge, with a 77% adoption rate, thanks to the growing presence of AI-powered tools such as virtual assistants, recommendation engines, photo editors, and chatbots.

Fast Personal Adoption, Slow Corporate Transition

While consumers are quick to embrace AI-driven tools with minimal risk, corporate adoption remains sluggish. Speaking to Dünya newspaper, Altay Doğu, General Manager of Teknoser (a systems integrator under Hitay Holding), noted that corporate AI deployment is hindered by concerns over ROI, infrastructure needs, and process transformation. He estimates that corporate AI adoption remains below 30%.

“AI has evolved beyond hype,” Doğu stated. “It is now a strategic platform delivering measurable benefits for companies, from production to auditing, customer service, and logistics.”

AI Could Boost Turkey’s GDP by $50–60 Billion in the Next Decade

A separate report commissioned by Google and conducted by Implement Consulting Group suggests that widespread adoption of generative AI could add up to 5% to Turkey’s annual GDP over the next ten years. That equates to 1.2 to 1.4 trillion Turkish lira, or approximately $50–60 billion in additional value.

This economic gain is expected to stem from three sources:

  • Productivity gains from AI-assisted human workers

  • Time savings through automation

  • Reallocation of time toward higher-value activities

Job Market: Transformation, Not Disruption

According to the same study, Turkey’s job market is more likely to undergo transformation rather than large-scale disruption:

  • 55% of existing jobs will integrate AI collaboration

  • 41% will remain largely unaffected

  • Only 4% of current jobs are expected to be highly impacted

While some jobs may be automated, new roles are expected to emerge, helping to stabilize unemployment levels in the long term.

Key Sectors Set to Reap the Benefits

Around 70% of AI’s economic potential in Turkey is concentrated in sectors such as:

  • Trade

  • Transportation

  • Tourism

  • Manufacturing

  • Construction

  • Energy

  • Water utilities

However, the highest added value per employee is expected to emerge from knowledge-intensive services like IT, consulting, and professional services.

Infrastructure, Not Just Apps, Will Define Success

Doğu emphasized that AI’s effectiveness depends heavily on a robust digital infrastructure. Key components include:

  • Data security

  • High-capacity processing and storage systems

  • Fast, integrated network connectivity

“Simply acquiring AI tools is not enough,” he said. “A holistic, tech-driven ecosystem is essential for long-term success. Companies that delay infrastructure investments risk falling behind.”

Teknoser’s Expansion: Over 700 Projects and 900 New Clients

Teknoser served both public and private clients in 2024, across industries like energy, telecommunications, finance, logistics, manufacturing, and education.

  • Completed over 700 projects

  • Gained more than 900 new corporate clients

  • Handles half of all POS terminals nationwide

  • Processes 8,000–10,000 daily service requests

2025 Strategy: Energy and AI at the Core

Looking ahead to 2025, Doğu said the company will continue expanding, especially in AI-powered tech services and energy-focused ventures.
“Our product portfolio now includes AI solutions. We plan to maintain momentum in tech-driven growth,” he added.

Digital Infrastructure Investment to Rise 40%

Medium and large-sized companies are expected to increase digital infrastructure investments by 40% in the coming period to support AI deployment.
“It’s time to stop seeing AI as just a trend,” said Doğu. “It is now a quantifiable investment. The sooner companies act, the stronger their competitive edge.”

Mid-2025 Recovery Expected After Slow Start

Doğu also noted that the digital transformation in Turkey has significantly accelerated over the past 27 years. He predicts a slow first half for 2025, followed by a rebound in the latter half as market activity picks up.

National AI Strategy Needs Upgrades

While Turkey already has a comprehensive national AI strategy, experts recommend updating it with new implementation roadmaps. Priorities include:

  • Reskilling the workforce

  • Developing AI competencies

  • Increasing R&D investments

  • Scaling innovation through national programs

To fully leverage AI’s potential, Turkey will also need to foster cross-sector collaboration among government, academia, and the private sector.

Sources: Deloitte, Dünya, Implement Consulting Group (on behalf of Google)

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