Many of us agree that Artificial Intelligence technology has the potential to initiate significant transformation in almost all sectors and social life. So, how is AI, one of the most talked about topics among future technologies, transforming our lives and industries? And how prepared is the Turkish ecosystem for this transformation?
To seek answers to these questions and understand the transformative power potential of artificial intelligence, we, as Boğaziçi Ventures, hosted the Artificial Intelligence Summit, where we welcomed over 1000 participants throughout the day and featured 30 expert speakers.
At the summit, where discussions and sharing took place on artificial intelligence technology, connected products, entrepreneurship, and investment ecosystem, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Hiwell, Commencis, and Skyloop Cloud were the main sponsors. Cerebrum Tech, Joygame Publishing, BV Portföy Yönetimi A.Ş., Türkiye Bilişim Vakfı, AITR “Yapay Zeka Türkiye Platformu” and Başlangıç Noktası | Be Node supported the event.
Additionally, parallel sessions were conducted on various topics that caught the participants’ attention during our event. Sessions such as Commencis’ “Generative AI – AWS Workshop” and Skyloop’s “Generative AI – AWS Workshop” not only provided opportunities for knowledge sharing but also offered significant networking opportunities. These sessions allowed participants to meet and exchange ideas with other professionals in the industry. In the “Artificial Intelligence in Gaming | Meetup with Game Developers” session, participants had the chance to network with teams from successful gaming companies such as Unity and Joygame, both globally and from Turkey. The “Artificial Intelligence Investors | Meetup with AI Startups” session provided insights into the field of artificial intelligence from both investor and entrepreneur perspectives. This session, where Boğaziçi Ventures and Revo Capital teams met with AI entrepreneurs, brought new ideas in the sector together with investors.
At our event, we brought together our participants with many companies that are active in the field of artificial intelligence and have integrated artificial intelligence into their business processes. Among these companies were prominent firms such as Cerebrum Tech, Eyedius, Artiwise, @Retter.io, Kavaken, Enhencer, and HUGENT. Participants had the opportunity to closely examine the products and services of these companies and gain insights into industry innovations.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Zekeriya Çoştu, who opened the summit, shared information about the national artificial intelligence strategy, vision, and plans. In his speech, Çoştu highlighted Turkey’s progress in the field of artificial intelligence and future goals, emphasizing national advancements in artificial intelligence.
In the first panel where we discussed the future of artificial intelligence investments, we gathered with leading figures in the industry. Moderated by TURUNÇ Managing Partner Kerem Turunç J.D., experienced names such as Boğaziçi Ventures Managing Partner and CEO Barış Özistek, and Revo Capital Managing Partner Cenk Bayrakdar extensively discussed the importance and future of investments in the field of artificial intelligence. In the Artificial Intelligence Investments panel, participants gained important perspectives to understand the dynamics of such investments in artificial intelligence and evaluate opportunities in the sector.
One of the most exciting parts of the event was the Unity Showcase, which demonstrated the use of artificial intelligence in the gaming industry. With a presentation by YJ Gahng, AI/ML Tools Product Manager from the Unity team, we closely observed how artificial intelligence has brought about a change in the game development process. Gahng provided detailed explanations of the innovative applications of artificial intelligence in the gaming world and its integration into the game development process.
Later in the event, we organized a panel where we examined the impact of artificial intelligence on creative industries. Moderated by Deniz M. Hatipoğlu, Data and AI Team Manager at Joygame, the panel featured Oğuz Silahtar, General Manager of Leonardo.AI EMEA, Burak Günsev, CEO of Joygame, and N. Ozgur Soner, Founder and CTO of Lokum Games, discussing the potential of AI in areas such as art and design. The panel shared important perspectives on how AI is influencing creative processes and the role it could play in the future.
In another panel conducted by AWS and its partners Commencis and Skyloop Cloud, we examined the increasing use of artificial intelligence in cloud solutions. Moderated by AWS Turkey CTO and Technology Team Leader Kivanc Uslu, the panel featured discussions on the growing role of artificial intelligence in cloud solutions. AWS Technology Leader Hasan Basri AKIRMAK, MSc, ExecMBA, Commencis CTO Sait Alp Pekin, and, Skyloop Cloud Co-Founder Fikri Mert Kurum, provided detailed insights into the topic. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the rise of artificial intelligence in cloud technologies and its impacts on the industry.
In the panel titled “Artificial Intelligence for Good,” which was conducted in collaboration with the Turkey Informatics Foundation (TBV) and the Artificial Intelligence Turkey Platform (AITR), an important topic was discussed. The panel was moderated by AITR Co-Chairman and Board Member Altan ÇAKIR. During the panel, experts in their fields such as Eczacıbaşı Holding CIO Hilmi Kocak, Faculty Member of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering Department at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), and Director of ITU AI Center Associate Professor Dr. Nazım Kemal Ure, and the Head of İş Group Yeni Nesil Girişimcilik Barış Karakullukçu, shared their views on the use of artificial intelligence for philanthropic purposes. This panel provided valuable insights into how artificial intelligence can be used for social responsibility projects and humanitarian purposes, while also presenting inspiring ideas on how artificial intelligence can be more effectively utilized for societal benefit in the future.
In the panel titled “Artificial Intelligence in Retail,” the implementations and potential of artificial intelligence in the retail sector were discussed. The panel was moderated by BV Growth Fund Manager Gizem Sezer. Among the panelists were leading figures in the industry such as RETTER.IO Co-Founder Baran Baygan, SCHEMAPLUS Founder & CTO Barış Yüksel, INSIDER Senior Product Manager & Shareholder Cansu Taş, and TRENDYOL Data Science Leader (Computer Vision & Natural Language Processing) Dr. Tolga Ahmet KALAYCI. The panel addressed topics such as the current and potential uses of artificial intelligence in the retail sector, how it can be used to enhance customer experience, and how it can be integrated to increase efficiency.
In the panel titled “Artificial Intelligence Revolution in Healthcare Technologies – HIWELL,” the future and potential of artificial intelligence usage in the healthcare sector were discussed. The panel was moderated by CEREBRUM TECH CMO Meltem Yeğen. Among the panelists were competent individuals in their fields such as HIWELL Founder & CEO Ali Ozan Özçiçek, Clinical Psychologist Neslihan Çalışkan; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğba Dalyan from Istanbul Bilgi University. The panel addressed topics such as the current and potential uses of artificial intelligence in healthcare technologies, how it can be used to provide better services to patients, and how it can initiate a transformation in the healthcare sector. Participants gained valuable insights into the effects of the artificial intelligence revolution in the healthcare and possible future directions.
At the end of the event, Boğaziçi Ventures’s Managing Partner and CEO Baris Ozistek emphasized the importance of the topics discussed throughout the event and shared his thoughts on the future role of artificial intelligence. Özistek thanked the participants for the value they contributed to the event and expressed his wish to meet again at future events
Boğaziçi Ventures AI SUMMIT, more than just a conference, has come together with you as a testament to our shared vision, creativity, and determination to shape the world of tomorrow by unlocking the full potential of artificial intelligence, aiming to be a catalyst for unity, idea exchange, and transformation. We extend our gratitude once again to everyone who participated and facilitated this knowledge-sharing event. We have also taken into account the requests received via social media from those who couldn’t attend our event. Soon, we will share the most popular speeches from our event on our social media accounts, including Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
We hope to meet again in the future with similar events!
We extend our heartfelt thanks once again to all our participants, speakers, supporters, and sponsors.
