Turkey unveils 2026–2030 AI Action Plan
On August 29, 2026, Turkey's regulatory position on artificial intelligence (AI) underwent a significant change with the introduction of the 'Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Action Plan 2026–2030.' This plan, formalized through Presidential Circular No. 2026/9 dated August 17, 2026, and published in the Official Gazette No. 33344 on August 18, 2026, serves as the country's new roadmap for AI following the completion of the 2021–2025 National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
The Action Plan outlines several key priorities, including:
- Technological sovereignty
- Competitiveness
- Data-driven development
- Trustworthy AI
- Sustainable digital transformation
While Turkey has not yet enacted a comprehensive AI Act, the Action Plan signals a clear regulatory direction. It instructs public authorities to perform their responsibilities under the plan and anticipates the development of a general legal basis, followed by secondary legislation and sector-specific implementation.
For AI providers operating in Turkey, this development underscores the importance of preparing for forthcoming regulations. Companies are advised to build a compliance infrastructure capable of adapting to new obligations as they emerge. Recommended steps include:
- Maintaining a reliable AI-system inventory
- Establishing an internal risk-classification methodology
- Preparing Model Card and technical-documentation templates
- Connecting AI assessments with existing data protection processes
- Developing incident-response procedures
By proactively addressing these areas, AI providers can position themselves to comply with future regulations and contribute to the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies in Turkey.
