EGİAD and TRAI Sign Cooperation Agreement

EGİAD Partners with TRAI EGİAD has partnered with Türkiye Yapay Zekâ İnsiyatifi to organize an event on the role of artificial intelligence in human life. The event, titled "EGİAD Future: TRAI - Türkiye Yapay Zeka İnsiyatifi Information Meeting," featured TRAI Director Can Sinemli and Business Development Unit Head Zeynep Mavi as speakers. TRAI - Türkiye Yapay Zeka İnsiyatifi, an initiative founded in 2017 to raise artificial intelligence awareness in Turkey and develop the ecosystem, was hosted by EGİAD. As of June 2022, the number of artificial intelligence startups in the TRAI ecosystem, which aims to increase AI awareness and develop the artificial intelligence ecosystem, has reached 259. Through partnership with EGİAD, these startups are expected to meet with academia and the private sector, collaborate on joint projects, and participate in investor meetings. In the TRAI ecosystem, alongside startups, over 50 leading private sector companies from Turkey are also represented, with the goal of having these company teams contribute to the development and proliferation of artificial intelligence in our country. Speaking at the opening of the event, EGİAD Chairman Alp Avni Yelkenbiçer noted that they have been instrumental in introducing the artificial intelligence ecosystem of our country to the business world, continuing as follows: "In short, we are making significant contributions to our country's participation in the artificial intelligence competition. In the business world, healthcare sector, education, and many other fields, artificial intelligence is rapidly creating new value and significantly transforming each of our lives. One of the most concrete examples of this is intelligent automation systems that simplify and accelerate previously complex and time-consuming operations. These systems make our production processes more efficient, enabling businesses to become more competitive. Furthermore, we must not forget that artificial intelligence plays a life-saving role in the healthcare sector. Particularly in recent years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, artificial intelligence's contributions to disease detection, drug development, and data analysis demonstrated how technology can protect and improve human life. As EGİAD, we are doing our best to increase awareness and use of artificial intelligence in the Aegean Region. By promoting knowledge, experience, and innovation, we ensure that artificial intelligence has a positive impact on businesses and society in our region." Yelkenbiçer stated that in cooperation with the Artificial Intelligence Initiative, they aim to accelerate the development and implementation of artificial intelligence across all sectors and thereby create a more efficient, innovative, and sustainable society. He added, "As EGİAD, partnering with the Artificial Intelligence Initiative not only excites us but also makes us proud. Thanks to our partnership, we can share the knowledge and experience of the Artificial Intelligence Initiative with EGİAD members and the Aegean Region. In this way, we can maximize the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and make the Aegean Region one of the pioneering regions of technology and innovation." Reminding that artificial intelligence transforms not only the business world and society but also our young people, who are the architects of our future, Yelkenbiçer continued: "I believe that this cooperation between EGİAD and the Artificial Intelligence Initiative will lead to many successes at both regional and national levels in the future. Together, by fully exploring the potential of artificial intelligence, we can take important steps toward building a smarter, fairer, and more sustainable society." TRAI Director Can Sinemli and Business Development Unit Head Zeynep Mavi emphasized that they contribute to the formation of competent people and institutions working in the field of artificial intelligence and aim to encourage cooperation. They shared information and experience through an institutional presentation. They stated that they work to convert activities in the field of artificial intelligence into employment, high added value, and sustainable development in our country, providing information about meetups, summits, and events. At the event, where it was noted that government incentives in this field are beginning to increase, it was stated: "If we adapt to EU funds, we will receive substantial funding. However, there is serious awareness deficit in the Industrial Sector in this area. This needs to be overcome as soon as possible."