Turkish academic discussions on AI and digital media

Academic and industry experts in Turkey have held discussions regarding the societal, ethical, and professional implications of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

At Istanbul University, the General Manager of the Press Advertising Agency, Abdulkadir Çay, addressed the risks of disinformation and the role of AI in creating fake audio and visual content to manipulate public opinion. Çay noted that these technological threats contribute to a decrease in news trust, though they also offer opportunities for traditional media to provide reliable alternatives. He also reported on the economic state of the Turkish press, noting significant advertising values and aid provided to periodicals and press workers.

Further academic discourse occurred at Istanbul Arel University’s ‘Digital Flood’ congress, where speakers debated AI’s risks and opportunities, digital privacy, and media literacy. Professor Haluk Şahin characterized the current era as a ‘crossroads,’ comparing AI to a ‘sorcerer’s apprentice.’ Additionally, in Bursa, Professor Metin Becermen provided a philosophical perspective on the challenges posed by technological shifts and the impact of automation on human meaning.