The major technology event, GITEX Ai Türkiye 2026, opened its doors on Wednesday in Istanbul, bringing together tech and artificial intelligence sectors and communities to address industry cooperation, potential and showcase product offerings.
The gathering brings together global tech firms, startups, investors, government representatives and industry professionals in the megacity.
The two-day event, organized at Istanbul Exhibition Center, is hosted by the Presidency's Investment and Finance Office with the strategic partnership of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Participants include Google Cloud, HPE, Nvidia, ASUS, Dell Technologies, SAP, TrendAI, Trendyol and Andevos.
The summit connects global tech giants with emerging local startups as more than 350 firms are showcasing their offerings to international investors, policymakers and industry executives.
Bilal Al Rais, GITEX vice president, highlighted during the opening ceremony that the event brought together investors from 70 countries to support the international expansion of local companies.
He said the gathering hosted over 120 startups and over 20 potential unicorns from Türkiye.
He also noted that organizers structured over 500 pre-arranged meetings to facilitate business connections within the Turkish ecosystem.
Gökhan Yücel, head of the communication office at the Investment and Finance Office, described the country as the "nexus of the world."
Yücel noted that Türkiye provides access to 1.3 billion people and markets with a combined gross domestic product of $30.5 trillion within a four-hour flight radius.
He added that more than 400 enterprises, over 100 investors managing billions of dollars and over 100 thought leaders are set to attend the two-day event.
He emphasized that AI is already transforming manufacturing, finance, commerce and public services.
Yücel added that Türkiye currently hosts 1,147 active AI companies.
He said that the next chapter of AI must prioritize human-centric solutions and trusted technologies.
Yücel called for international cooperation and patient capital to build an inclusive and economically meaningful digital future.
