The Presidency's Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, penned an editorial titled "Türkiye is Ready for the Artificial Intelligence Age" in the "Ayın Tarihi (History of the Month)" magazine published by the Directorate.
In the August issue of the Directorate's periodical, Ayın Tarihi, the issue of "artificial intelligence and ethics" was addressed, and Head of Communications Altun drew attention to the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in his article.
Altun stated that the 21st century's dizzyingly fast-paced technological transformation is reshaping the world of media and communication and that innovations introduced by the digital age have radically transformed the structure and functioning of the media, leading to fundamental changes in the realm of communication.
Emphasising that the development of artificial intelligence is undoubtedly one of the most critical components of this transformation, Head of Communications Altun stated that the role of artificial intelligence in the media sector is extensive, encompassing a wide range of activities, including content production and access to information.
Head of Communications Altun underscored that the effects of technology are not restricted to the facilitation of business processes, as artificial intelligence is now employed in a variety of fields, including the automation of news, the personalisation of content, and the determination of advertisements for specific audiences.
Given the social role of the media, Altun emphasised the importance of shaping the relationship between artificial intelligence and the media within an ethical framework.
Altun stated that there have been developments that threaten social justice and core values and that the opportunities provided by technology have the potential to cause serious problems if not handled in a socially beneficial manner.
"Artificial intelligence should be developed and used in line with ethical principles"
Pointing out that one of the significant challenges posed by artificial intelligence in the media is the issue of information accuracy and reliability, Head of Communications Altun stated that algorithms are capable of producing content without human intervention and that this content can be rapidly disseminated to a large audience.
Noting that this situation also facilitates the dissemination of misinformation and disinformation, the Head of Communications Altun said: “The development and use of artificial intelligence in line with ethical principles plays a key role in preventing these problems. It is crucial that AI be utilised responsibly, particularly in light of the potential impact of misinformation, which is disseminated rapidly through digital media, on society."
Head of Communications Altun stated that AI-powered algorithms can be effective in detecting and preventing the spread of misinformation and that the development of AI-powered content verification systems can contribute to cleaning up the digital media environment.
Stating that the criteria by which these technologies operate and how they are regulated are crucial, Head of Communications Altun warned that while artificial intelligence can be used as an effective defence mechanism against misinformation, it can also contribute to its dissemination.
Emphasising that the influence of artificial intelligence technologies on the media will not be restricted to content production and dissemination, Head of Communications Altun continued as follows:
"These technologies also determine whose voices are heard more and which content is prioritised. In the interest of society as a whole, this is a matter that needs to be questioned. The media plays an indispensable role in democracy through its function of informing the public and shaping public opinion. Therefore, the use of AI technologies in the media should be moderated in accordance with the principles of social justice and transparency. Neutral, transparent, and accountable algorithms are a fundamental prerequisite for media ethics. Another issue that necessitates consideration is artificial intelligence's impact on society. The potential consequences for the general society should be considered during the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies.
"We prioritise a human-orientated perspective that pursues social benefit"
Remarking that these effects should include not only economic or technical but also social and cultural aspects, Head of Communications Altun argued that it would be a grave mistake to disregard the effects of artificial intelligence on society.
In this context, Head of Communications Altun underlined that Türkiye prioritises a human-orientated perspective that pursues social benefit in its artificial intelligence endeavours and continued: "Türkiye carefully utilises artificial intelligence's advantages while determining its media and communication strategies in the international arena.
We should not sacrifice our country's core values in order to capitalise on opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. We believe that the ethical use of artificial intelligence technologies is necessary to represent Türkiye accurately on digital platforms and ensure that the international public has access to reliable information."
Noting the artificial intelligence's clear potential to trigger radical changes in every field, Head of Communications Altun added: "The innovations of the digital age offer great opportunities. However, we should not abandon our social responsibilities and should use technology for the benefit of humanity as we take advantage of these opportunities.
The future of artificial intelligence must be shaped with responsibility in mind. Türkiye is committed to implementing artificial intelligence developments without compromising ethical principles. In this direction, both in the national and international arena, Türkiye continues to take a responsible and principled stance."