TEKNOFEST chairman Selçuk Bayraktar said at the opening of TEKNOFEST Southeast in Şanlıurfa that in the age of AI the issue is not how powerful technology becomes but which morality and conscience guide it.
"An artificial intelligence revolution is under way, and we are only at the very beginning of it," Bayraktar said. "The power of technology is being used for dark purposes; we want to use it for the benefit of humanity."
"The issue is not how powerful artificial intelligence becomes, but which morality and which conscience will guide this power. Our aim goes beyond developing technology; it is about what kind of spirit and what direction we give it," Bayraktar said. Saying the world is going through "a dark period in which monstrosity is trying to prevail," he stressed that artificial intelligence makes learning and research easier but should not replace reason, adding: "Technology is a tool."
Describing Şanlıurfa as "the zero point of history," Bayraktar said TEKNOFEST, which began in 2018 and is now being held for the 15th time, has turned into a broad technology movement. He said young people from 81 provinces and 97 countries are taking part, with more than 730,000 teams and over 1.6 million young people applying for technology competitions in 62 different fields.
Describing TEKNOFEST as a "self-confidence revolution," Bayraktar said the festival stands against the "we can't do it" mentality and learned helplessness. He said self-confidence strengthens production, production strengthens technology, and technology strengthens the foundation of independence.
Bayraktar said KIZILELMA would soon enter the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces, noting that serial production is continuing and the production rate has been increased. He also said BAYKAR works with more than 40 countries and earns more than 90% of its revenue from exports.
TEKNOFEST Southeast will host visitors at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport until October 4.
