Türkiye's AI Action Plan 2026-2030: What It Means for Companies (Targets, Incentives and Data Protection)

Important: This article is general information and not legal advice. The sources include law firm announcements and secondary news; check the official text on the Ministry of Industry and Technology's site.

In brief: The Türkiye AI Action Plan (2026-2030) came into effect through Presidential Circular No. 2026/9 and was announced on 18 August 2026; it was published on the Ministry of Industry and Technology's website. The plan succeeds the 2021-2025 National AI Strategy. It has four axes (Recognise, Benefit, Produce, Govern) and 16 actions; its numerical targets include 10,000 advanced AI experts and 100,000 applied professionals, 1 GW of data centre capacity, 10 million GPU-hours a year of flexible access, $10 billion in private sector investment and regulatory sandboxes in at least five priority sectors. As relayed by a law firm, the Circular does not by itself create a directly enforceable legal obligation; concrete tasks, budgets and success indicators will become clear through the Action Plan and annual implementation plans. So for companies this is not a law but a document of direction and opportunity. KVKK (Law No. 6698) obligations on personal data are preserved. Source: MC Legal summary (23 October 2026).

Last updated: 23 October 2026

The plan's four axes

Numerical targets (2026-2030)

• 10,000 advanced AI experts and 100,000 applied professionals
• 1 GW of installed data centre capacity
• 10 million GPU-hours a year of flexible access (for researchers, entrepreneurs and SMEs)
• $10 billion in private sector investment
• Regulatory sandboxes in at least five priority sectors

Governance and monitoring

According to the source the top decision body will be the National AI Council chaired by the President, which will publish an annual Policy Letter; a Programme Office will be set up. The first progress report will be published within twelve months of publication on the National AI Progress and Transparency Portal. The plan is described as a “living” policy instrument updated every year.

What does it mean for companies?

Opportunities

• Compute access: “GPU for Everyone” and the target of 10 million GPU-hours a year of flexible access could lower cost barriers for SMEs and startups. The implementation rules aren't known yet; follow them.
• Financing and zones: The Financing Ladder and Growth Zones are listed as investment and incentive mechanisms.
• Data spaces: Data sharing across sectors could mean richer data for AI products.
• Regulatory sandbox: Trying new products in a controlled environment.
• Public sector transformation and sectoral pilots: Business opportunities for software and AI suppliers in public projects and pilot programmes.
• Talent: The AI expert and applied-professional targets aim to widen the hiring pool.

Limits and uncertainties

• Low bindingness: The Circular does not impose obligations directly on the private sector; concreteness depends on later regulation.
• Timeline and budget unclear: Tasks, responsible units and budgets will become clear through implementation plans.
• No incentive details: The terms of instruments such as the Financing Ladder have not yet been published (no information found).

KVKK and other obligations: what applies today

Türkiye has no comprehensive AI-specific law (according to secondary sources as of October 2026). Even so, existing legislation applies to your AI use today:

• KVKK (6698): Personal data processing, notice, explicit consent, controller/processor roles, transfers abroad and automated decision-making. The plan itself states that KVKK obligations are preserved.
• Intellectual property: Copyright issues in training data and outputs. Per secondary sources a Digital Copyright Bill was submitted to a parliamentary committee in early October; check its status in official records.
• Sectoral regulations: Special rules in areas like finance, health and public procurement.
• If you serve the EU: The EU AI Act may apply separately.

For what staff can enter into AI tools, see our AI use policy guide.

An 8-point preparation plan for your company

1. AI inventory: List the systems you use and build.
2. Which axis are you in? Are you a user (Benefit), a producer (Produce), or a data/talent provider?
3. Follow announcements: Track implementation plans, incentives and calls on the Ministry site and the Official Gazette.
4. Review KVKK compliance: Notice and legal basis for personal data processed with AI.
5. Data strategy: Your rules for collecting, storing, anonymising and sharing data.
6. Talent plan: Identify your team's AI literacy and training needs.
7. Pick a pilot project: Start with a small, measurable use case and calculate ROI: ROI on AI investments.
8. Don't neglect security: For agents and integrations see our 8-controls guide.

Our view at Aktaş Digital

The Action Plan shapes the environment for AI projects in Türkiye in a positive direction; but until implementation details are clear, projects should be designed to today's legal framework (especially KVKK). In AI chatbot, document analysis and automation projects we plan data flow, security and measurement from the start. To get a scope and cost breakdown, use our quote form. Related services: AI solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Action Plan a law?

No. It is a policy document that came into effect through a Presidential Circular; according to the source it does not by itself create a directly enforceable legal obligation.

Can I get incentives for AI?

The plan foresees instruments such as the Financing Ladder and Growth Zones; terms and application processes have not yet been published. Follow announcements.

What is “GPU for Everyone”?

An action in the plan aiming to give researchers, entrepreneurs and SMEs flexible access to 10 million GPU-hours a year. Details will become clear at implementation.

Is there an AI law in Türkiye?

According to secondary sources there is no comprehensive AI law as of October 2026; existing legislation such as KVKK applies. Verify the current position from official sources.

Does this plan replace the EU AI Act?

No. If you serve the EU, the EU Act may apply separately. See our EU AI Act article.

Conclusion

Türkiye's AI Action Plan 2026-2030 sets ambitious targets on compute access, talent and investment; but it is a direction document, not a law. The right approach for companies: follow the opportunities, comply with today's legal framework (especially KVKK) and start with small, measurable pilots. The first thing you can do today: write your company's AI use and the personal data it processes into a single table.