Artificial Intelligence Regulation in Türkiye: Current Position and Future Trajectory

The penetration of artificial intelligence systems as general-purpose technologies into everyaspect of social and economic life tests the adaptation capacity of legal systems to this dynamicprocess. This study analyses Türkiye's current position in AI governance and its futureregulatory trajectory across three fundamental layers. First, although Türkiye does not yethave a stand-alone AI-specific statute, it evaluates how existing legal norms, such as the Lawon the Protection of Personal Data, the Turkish Code of Obligations, and the Turkish CriminalCode, are applied to AI applications. Second, it posits that harmonisation with the EU AI Act (AIA) is not a mere policy choice but a commercial and technical necessity due to the CustomsUnion relationship between Türkiye and the EU. In this context, the nature of the AIA as a product safety instrument and its direct implications for Türkiye are examined. Third, theinstitutional transformation and the future AI governance landscape in Türkiye is addressedthrough the allocation of mandates between the newly established cybersecurity authority(SGB) and the Directorate General for National Technology and Artificial Intelligence(MTYZGM) under the Ministry of Industry and Technology. By providing a critical analysis ofthe recent legislative proposals submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the textemphasises the importance of Türkiye developing a unique regulatory strategy that fostersinnovation while protecting fundamental rights. The study concludes that AI is not a transienthype but becoming a permanent and horizontal element of the Turkish legal framework.