Türkiye's National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan 2026–2030: A New Era for the Private Sector

With the publication of the Presidential Circular No. 2026/9 dated August 17, 2026, in the Official Gazette No. 33344 dated August 18, 2026, the Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Action Plan (2026–2030) has entered its implementation phase.

In its current form, the Action Plan does not impose any direct and general binding obligations on the private sector. However, the new legal and technical framework envisaged by the Plan is expected to result in concrete compliance implications for companies in the subsequent stages.

The Action Plan consists of 16 priority actions under four main pillars titled "Recognize, Leverage, Produce, Govern."

This approach demonstrates that artificial intelligence is being addressed not merely as a technology investment, but as a holistic ecosystem encompassing data, infrastructure, human resources, financing, security, and regulation.

One of the most notable aspects of the Plan from the private sector perspective is the national legal and ethical framework for artificial intelligence envisaged under Action 4.

Under the proposed approach, AI systems are intended to be subject to different obligations based on their level of risk. In this context, the following mechanisms are envisaged to be standardized:

• Simplified checklists for low-risk applications,
• A short-form Algorithmic Impact Assessment for medium-risk applications,
• An extended Algorithmic Impact Assessment for high-impact systems,
• A publicly available summary Model Card,
• A detailed technical file to be submitted to the relevant regulatory authorities.

Companies that develop AI models or use third-party AI services would be well advised to review their existing data processing inventories so that they also cover AI use cases.

The Plan envisages the standardization of technical documentation for high-impact AI systems.

Companies may find it beneficial to consider the following preparations at this stage:

• Create an AI inventory
• Conduct risk classification
• Map data flows
• Establish a documentation infrastructure
• Review supplier contracts
• Monitor sector-specific developments

In the period ahead, the secondary legislation and sector-specific guidelines expected to be issued under the Action Plan will shape the main compliance agenda for companies. In particular, organizations that use or develop high-impact AI systems should closely monitor these developments.

You may access the relevant announcement here. (In Turkish)