"International Strategic Communication Forum" (Stratcom Summit 24), organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications for the fourth time this year, has concluded.
The two-day forum, hosted at a hotel in İstanbul under the theme "AI in Communication: Trends, Traps and Transition," convened experts from various fields across the globe.
The forum commenced with the presentation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's message, subsequently featuring addresses from Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Presidency's Head of Communications Fahrettin Altun.
The Stratcom Summit'24, Türkiye's largest communication summit, deliberated on the transformations in the field of communication through artificial intelligence, as well as the opportunities and challenges offered by the latest technologies.
The Summit focused on the transformative impact of AI in communication and covered a wide range of current issues such as public communication, new communication strategies, journalism, digital media and diplomacy, combating disinformation and crisis management, digital ethics, and cyber security.
The Stratcom Summit'24 hosted 64 speakers from 30 different countries, including both national and international experts from the public and private sectors, academia, media, civil society, and think tanks, and featured eight panels, four speeches, and six one-on-one sessions.
On the first day of the programme, "AI in National Strategy: Governmental Perspectives on Digital Transformation and Strategic Communication," "Digital Transparency vs. Data Security: Finding the Balance," "AI in International Strategic Communication: Collaboration and Regulation," and "Combatting Disinformation with AI: Tools and Strategies for Public Institutions" panels were held.
Additionally, Chief Advisor to the President on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç, spoke on "Turkish Government's National Security Perspective in the AI Era," Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, spoke on "AI and Strategic Development: A Vision for Azerbaijan's Future," and Dr. Abed-Alrazzaq Natsheh, Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Economy of the State of Palestine, spoke on "Driving Digital Transformation: Insights from Palestine's Telecommunications Vision," and 3 separate one-on-one sessions were held on the first day of the forum.
On the second day, experts shared their views on "AI in Crisis Communication: Real-Time Strategies for Public Safety," "AI-Driven Cybersecurity in Communication: Protecting Integrity and Trust," "AI’s Impact on Journalism: Balancing Accuracy, Objectivity, and the Threat of Deepfakes," and "Ethics in AI-Enabled Communication: Navigating Transparency and Accountability."
Speeches and one-on-one sessions titled "Deterrence and Defence in a Time of Information Threats: A Conversation," "The Role of AI in Transforming Neurotechnology," "A New Frontier in Artistic Technology," "AI in Diplomacy: Türkiye’s Strategy for a Tech-Driven Global Future," "Global Strategies for Effective Government Communication," "Innovation for Modernisation: Albania's State Digital Revolution," "The Role of Digital Diplomacy in the Peace Process" explored how artificial intelligence is shaping foreign policy and communication activities for states and international organisations.
The Presidency's Directorate of Communications, Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), Anadolu Agency (AA), Press Advertisement Agency, Presidency of Defence Industries, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), İstanbul Technical University (ITU), and Yıldız Technical University all had booths at the event area, visited by participants, who were also offered AI experience areas designed specifically for the event.
The forum concluded with a ceremony.
During the closing ceremony of the Forum, a short film was presented to the participants.
The forum concluded with a family photo of the Head of Communications Altun and the accompanying party, following the closing speech by the Presidency's Head of Communications Altun.