Artificial intelligence, big data and automation…

Nagihan Cengiz Çelebi

Around the world, business discussions are no longer limited to “production” or “sales.” At the heart of every strategy now lies digitalization.

So where does Turkey stand in this picture? The answer is complicated. On the one hand, we have a young, dynamic population that is highly receptive to digital tools. On the other, many of our SMEs still try to survive with traditional methods.

A simple incident I experienced recently sums up this contradiction. Two friends called me on the same day, both asking about state incentives. And both said the same thing: “I checked the website, but I couldn’t make sense of it.” The incentives are public, the processes are written, the procedures are clear. Yet the issue is obvious: official language and business language do not match. This mismatch makes access to information difficult, pushes companies to look for “shortcuts,” or leads them unknowingly into misdirection.

The misuse of digitalization exposes another risk that has existed for years: the “consultants” who operate on the shady side of the sector. With clickbait promises, they lure small businesses, misrepresent incentives, or take money without delivering results. This does not only cause financial loss, it also undermines trust among businesses.

But the real point is not simply to receive an incentive. What matters is whether that incentive truly contributes to the sustainability of the business. Incentives that do not support institutionalization or long-term growth do little more than create bureaucracy, while weakening Turkey’s position in global digital competition. Companies without feasibility studies, without clear structures, or with managers who see technology only as a cost, quickly lose their competitive edge – and the advantage of incentives becomes meaningless. The picture is no different for companies that try to “save the day” in times of crisis instead of developing long-term strategies.

Even if our digital literacy is far from ideal, the solution is clear: Turkey’s young population must be directed more toward software, AI, and the start-up ecosystem. If this energy meets the right strategy, it can significantly strengthen our hand in global competition.

The growing participation of women in the workforce is equally critical. It is transforming not only employment figures but also the way business is conducted. Analytical thinking, discipline in times of crisis, and long-term planning skills bring fresh momentum to companies on their path to sustainability. From a gender equality perspective, women’s participation is not just a matter of numbers; it is a strategic factor that adds diversity and depth to decision-making.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Turkey’s business world is at a critical crossroads. A stronger economy requires clear communication of information, better digital literacy, a shared language between public and private sectors, and investment in institutional structures from the very start of a business. Without these, social progress will have little impact on the business world.

Global digital competition waits for no one. Turkey will either be among the driving forces of this transformation – or remain in the shadow of bigger players.

The real question is this: Will we be the ones shaping the wind, or the ones being swept away by it?