Izmir Artificial Intelligence Summit convened with the aim of being a pioneer in technology

The Artificial Intelligence Summit, organized under the theme of “Transforming Power” with the cooperation of the Aegean Young Business People Association (EGİAD) and the Aegean Industrialists and Business People Association (ESİAD), has been held at the İzQ Innovation Center.

Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban, who attended the opening ceremony of the summit, which was attended by representatives of companies advancing on the path to digitalization, artificial intelligence and software entrepreneurs and young people following trending technologies, as well as representatives of the Aegean business world, drew attention to the fact that Artificial Intelligence technology is one of the threshold points in human history.

Elban, who stated that he is not one of those who think pessimistically on this issue, pointed out that it is necessary to be on the side that produces and directs this technology, not just purchases and uses it.

Noting that Izmir has the potential to be a pioneer in digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence, Elban stated that they have come to the end of the work they started to make all teachers and students in Izmir digitally literate in order to use this potential.

Elban spoke as follows:

“All 64 thousand teachers in Izmir have become digitally literate, and all 857 thousand students will become digitally literate in 15 days. We expect some of our young people among them to lead this technology. We have to create awareness of Artificial Intelligence with this summit and take action now. Izmir can be a leading city in technology. We have started work on a brand new free zone, a free zone that will be completely inhabited by technology companies, and it will be built right next to it with a technopark supporting each other. We are also conducting work on game centers. We are trying to create this ecosystem in this city and make Izmir a leader in technology.”

“Artificial Intelligence Strategy Document is being prepared”

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay said that they are hopeful about young people in order to become a part of Artificial Intelligence technology as a country.

Elban stated that they have started to use Artificial Intelligence technologies in urban planning applications and achieved efficient results in transportation, and that Artificial Intelligence is used even in the design of the benches in Kültürpark.

Tugay, who stated that those who use this technology are seen to be more successful and that one should not be conservative in this regard, said:

“We must continue to work to adapt our city to this technology as soon as possible and ensure that it contributes to development. In every sector in Izmir, everyone should learn how to use this technology more and integrate it into their lives. There is no point in being conservative in this regard. Will Izmir have a role other than this? For example, how much investment will be made in data technology is a strategic issue. We are also preparing a strategy document on Artificial Intelligence. We will share it with the public. We also need to have some predictions about what may happen to us and adjust ourselves accordingly.”

“We must act quickly”

Aegean Young Business People Association (EGİAD) Board Chairman M. Kaan Özhelvacı stated that with this meeting, they took an important step for the business world to become a pioneer city in the field of artificial intelligence and said, “Another reason for organizing this summit is the need to act quickly in terms of artificial intelligence. We hope to create awareness and create a motivating effect in the business world in our city and region through our summit. In this era of multiple crises and major transformations, there is a greater need than ever for leading business people who understand the changes brought by artificial intelligence and can guide them. The economic and political leaders of the future will be those who invest in technology today. Therefore, it is of great importance for us as business people to look beyond local successes and develop strategies by understanding global trends while managing our businesses.”

Sibel Zorlu, the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Industrialists and Businessmen Association, stated that the point reached in artificial intelligence shows that human history is at an unprecedented threshold, and that this possible turning point where artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence promises prosperity on the one hand, but on the other hand, it also shows the uncertainty that control may be lost.

Pointing out that they have to shape the transformation it causes while developing this technology with ethical values, Zorlu noted the following:

“We are organizing the Artificial Intelligence Summit with this understanding. We believe that this transformation should be built not only with engineers, but also with lawyers, sociologists, and artists. We are ready to take every step that falls on us for Izmir to become one of the leading cities in the field of artificial intelligence. Within this framework, I would like to state that we need to establish high-quality data centers first. I would like to draw attention to the importance of collaborations for the establishment of an artificial intelligence network that will include start-ups, SMEs, OIZs, industry, and universities. We will hold our summit only for the business world.