The Domestic AI Ecosystem and the Emphasis on Technological Independence

Şekib Avdagiç, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO), emphasized that Türkiye needs to establish its own AI homeland and strengthen its independent technology infrastructure. This perspective on the digital future of business treats domestic technology development as a strategic priority. Avdagiç’s remarks highlight the direct link between businesses’ international competitiveness and the strengthening of technologies developed in Türkiye.

The goal of technological independence should not be limited to whether an AI application is developed domestically. For businesses, what matters is assessing how a solution was developed, what infrastructure it requires and how it works with existing systems. Efforts to strengthen the domestic AI ecosystem should therefore be considered alongside software development expertise, integration capabilities and sustainable technical support. This framework helps align technology choices with long-term needs.

For SMEs, the development of a domestic AI ecosystem offers an opportunity to reduce reliance on foreign platforms and improve access to more accessible solutions. However, accessibility should not be assessed solely on the basis of the initial investment cost. It is also important that the solution can be adapted to business processes, used by employees and maintained effectively. Considering these factors together when exploring domestic solutions provides a stronger basis for selecting technology that meets business needs.

Compliance with local regulations is another issue that requires specific attention in AI investments. The fact that a solution is developed domestically does not, on its own, mean that it meets all compliance requirements. Businesses should assess where data is processed, how access permissions are managed and what responsibilities the service provider holds. The development of a domestic ecosystem can support options tailored to local needs; however, each application must be assessed in terms of its specific use case and data flows.

At X Mind Solutions, we consider technology choices alongside business needs when setting up AI agents, automation workflows and system integrations. We view the domestic AI agenda through the same lens: Which process will be supported, which systems will be connected and which data will be used? Avdagiç’s emphasis on technological independence highlights the importance for businesses of considering these questions in terms of long-term competitiveness and technology dependence.