Bridging the Digital Divide: Türkiye’s Strategic AI Initiatives for Inclusive Growth and Security

ABSTRACT In an increasingly technopolar world, artificial intelligence (AI) is pivotal for national competitiveness and security. This article examines how Türkiye, a rising regional power, leverages AI initiatives to bridge the digital divide while ensuring robust economic growth and defense capabilities. Situated within broader debates on digital governance, the study elucidates the interplay between Türkiye’s national policies and global tech competition. Drawing on policy documents and case studies, it traces the nation’s transition from technology adopter to proactive innovator in key sectors like defense, healthcare, and education. The article underscores the importance of inclusive AI that prioritizes human capital, equitable access, and data governance. It also highlights Türkiye’s pursuit of AI-driven defense modernization to establish strategic autonomy against modern threats. This work contends that Türkiye’s AI ambitions must be analyzed within the context of geopolitics, domestic regulation, and AI governance, not just through a technological lens. By offering policy recommendations for fostering cross-sector partnerships and investing in critical infrastructure, the study provides insights into balancing economic development with social equity and national security. Ultimately, this research contributes to the discourse on how emerging technologies reshape power structure