"BRAINS2 Türkiye" Efforts Begin

Turkish Asia Strategic Research Center (TASAM) Chairman Süleyman Şensoy stated that they have launched "BRAINS2 TURKEY" initiatives—which encompass biotechnology, robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, space and strategic services, with the acronym formed from the English initials of each field—with an "Artificial Intelligence Program Workshop," noting that there is no reason why Turkey should not succeed in artificial intelligence and that they are working to raise awareness. Speaking to AA at the "Artificial Intelligence Program Workshop" organized by TASAM, Şensoy explained that significant work will be undertaken in the coming days within the scope of "BRAINS2 TURKEY" initiatives. Emphasizing that Turkey has reached world-league competitiveness in artificial intelligence work to add value to the country's comparative competitive strength, Şensoy noted that artificial intelligence colonies were discussed at Davos this year and that Turkey should not underestimate developments related to artificial intelligence. Stating that all conventional traditional systems have fallen behind in the power and ownership ecosystem, Şensoy said, "The fundamental systems that will create new ones are also artificial intelligence and similar work. Dynamics are also changing in the economy. While holding companies with dozens of factories have market valuations of one or a few billion dollars, data-intensive companies have market valuations in the trillions of dollars or more. For this reason, the concept of wealth will perhaps change significantly in meaning and place within the next 5-10 years." Noting that Turkey has great potential due to large investments in education over the past 10 years and that it has allocated 10 times the defense budget to education in a decade, Şensoy continued his remarks as follows: "Although quality is debated, through small adjustments and rehabilitation we have a trained workforce that we can make effective in Turkey and around the world. Therefore, there is no reason for us not to succeed in work such as artificial intelligence. Our only problem is the quality of awareness we have in Turkey, and we are working to increase this awareness. What is important is the activation of Turkey's potential in artificial intelligence and technology fields. There are certainly people and institutions who know this far better than we do and will emerge. What needs to be done is to take ownership of the artificial intelligence reality and for everyone to demonstrate their own initiative and capacity."

"We aim to establish BRAINS2 TURKEY as a national brand"

Stating that they aim for BRAINS2 TURKEY to become a national brand and that they will undertake work related to sectors transforming today's global security and business model, power distribution, security and defense, particularly artificial intelligence, Şensoy made the assessment that "The BRAINS2 TURKEY initiative was developed to contribute both in the security and defense dimension and in all areas of the economy within the framework of the capacity Turkey will build." TASAM Chairman Şensoy, noting that countries that are not expected to be concerned about artificial intelligence work are actually more anxious, continued as follows: "Because countries see what is coming. Perhaps it is very classical, but by the phrase 'what is coming' I mean a new world. I am talking about a world characterized by unpredictability and intertwined contradictions and rapidly changing conditions. Countries that see this realize that even if they appear very strong today, they may not be in this position tomorrow or may lose their superiority. The world ahead is full of major risks, dependencies and everyone's situation is very precarious in terms of technology. These must be made manageable as much as possible. In this context, the most important thing is the economization of all sectors, including public essential services. Because if you cannot create employment, you cannot ensure social peace, you cannot collect taxes, and you cannot maintain the power of states."

"China is the country that invests the most in artificial intelligence"

Evaluating China's work in the artificial intelligence field, Şensoy said, "The virus incident that occurred in China affects its work to a certain extent, but China has crossed a certain threshold and, as we all know, China existed in 1974 as the first country to initiate cyber work in the world. The Americans confirm this fact." Reminding that China is currently the country that invests the most in artificial intelligence globally, Şensoy concluded his remarks as follows: "Today in China, millions of people work in data entry. They are serving as the machine backup for the cabinet of ministers, in other words, the state. Therefore, China is an example that should be closely followed in this respect, and I imagine they have also begun loading all these experiences into algorithms to draw the correct lessons and take appropriate measures in the artificial intelligence environment. Because with a population of 1.5 billion, they are succeeding at digitalization. They frequently use these algorithms in daily life, such that for the Chinese, all these developments are currently like child's play, but what they are actually trying to do is create a machine backup for every type of decision-making process and institution. In other words, if I may use the expression, China will first look at what the machine says as a decision-maker and then make its decision. The artificial intelligence field is one of the highest priority areas that China has identified for continuing its digitalization and economic superiority. This situation naturally provides a tremendous advantage in terms of security and defense."