Türkiye to make basic AI training mandatory for public employees

Turkey announced plans to mandate basic artificial intelligence (AI) training for all public sector employees, aiming to ensure safe and effective use of AI technologies. According to reports released on Wednesday, the initiative aligns with the objectives of the newly unveiled “Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Action Plan” spanning the years 2026 to 2030. This move signals a broad effort to integrate AI into government operations while addressing concerns related to its ethical and secure deployment. The training program will be delivered primarily through e-learning platforms, with additional short, practical modules designed specifically for each employee's role and responsibilities. Completion of the training will be enforced through the human resources systems of public institutions. Employees will not only need to finish the courses but also demonstrate proficiency through regular assessments. Those who successfully complete the training will earn micro-certificates attesting to their foundational AI competencies. The AI literacy curriculum covers several key areas, including fundamental AI concepts, secure use of generative AI tools, personal data protection, awareness of misinformation, and understanding of deepfake content. It also emphasizes ethical guidelines for AI usage. These elements reflect Turkey’s broader strategy to balance technological advancement with privacy and transparency. To oversee the implementation of AI across public institutions, senior executives specializing in AI will be appointed within each organization. These individuals will report directly to either the head of the institution or a designated unit manager. Their primary responsibility will involve managing AI-related projects and providing regular updates on their progress. Following the appointment of these officials, all public institutions will be required to develop a three-year AI roadmap within a 12-week timeframe. Annual goals will be set based on these roadmaps. Pilot projects and early-stage implementations will prioritize small-to-medium scale acquisitions. Additionally, vendors participating in AI procurement must hold a techno-entrepreneurship certificate, ensuring a certain standard of technical expertise. Under the action plan, at least 30 AI pilot projects are expected to launch across 10 or more ministries within the first year. These projects will occur in two distinct phases over the initial 12 months. A structured “pilot-to-scale pathway” will be created for at least 10 essential public services, facilitating the transition from experimental stages to full-scale implementation. A particular emphasis will be placed on transforming the e-Government platform, allowing citizens to interact with AI-enhanced public services. Initial pilot applications will include features such as personalized service guidance, pre-screening of applications, and intelligent document assistance. At least five AI-backed citizen services will be tested and expanded through this platform, adhering to strict standards regarding data protection, decision-making transparency, and human oversight. High-impact AI systems deployed throughout public institutions will undergo rigorous certification and evaluation processes. This ensures that AI applications meet specific criteria before being implemented widely. The overall approach involves identifying potential AI use cases, conducting field tests, and expanding successful initiatives, following a systematic “identify-pilot-scale” methodology. Public sector organizations will conduct systematic reviews of areas where AI could yield benefits. Rapid pilot implementations will be carried out in high-potential sectors, with projects demonstrating measurable success being scaled up within six to twelve months. This phased rollout aims to build confidence in AI integration while minimizing risks associated with untested technologies. Each ministry will play a crucial role in identifying and implementing AI solutions tailored to their specific functions. The overarching goal is to create a cohesive national AI strategy that enhances public administration efficiency while safeguarding individual rights and institutional integrity. As the plan unfolds, continuous monitoring and adaptation will be necessary to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the evolving AI landscape.