Politics

Türkiye–US summit highlights rapid AI growth and cybersecurity as strategic priorities

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 4:08AM UTC

The Türkiye–US Business Summit in Istanbul underscores the accelerating development of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, emphasising bilateral efforts to secure digital infrastructure and foster innovation amid a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The Türkiye–US Business Summit, organised by the American Business Association (AmCham) Türkiye, convened in Istanbul on December 1, 2025, focusing on the critical themes of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity under the banner "Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity: Sectoral Future Perspectives." Bringing together governmental and private-sector figures from both Türkiye and the United States, the summit underscored the transformative impact these technologies have across industries, reshaping decision-making processes, competitiveness, and business architectures fundamentally.

Emre Karter, Chair of AmCham Türkiye, highlighted that AI is ushering in a new era of productivity, while cybersecurity has emerged as a strategic pillar in this evolving landscape. He emphasised that the integration of AI and cybersecurity offers substantial growth opportunities for companies and countries alike, but warned against the serious costs and risks inherent in falling behind in this rapidly developing arena. Karter also outlined AmCham Türkiye’s ongoing efforts in collaboration with public institutions from both countries to advance digital transformation, AI investment, enhancement of cybersecurity standards, and robust data governance frameworks. This multifaceted approach aims to ensure that both economies remain competitive and secure in the digital age.

From the United States, Thomas Hardy, Acting Director of the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), reiterated the US administration’s ambition to maintain global leadership in AI, data centres, and cybersecurity infrastructure. Hardy noted the accelerated pace of AI development, with capabilities doubling approximately every seven months, positioning AI as both an economic powerhouse and a national security asset. He stressed the importance of building secure digital infrastructure to support AI applications across vital sectors such as energy, transport, healthcare, and smart city initiatives. Hardy also explained USTDA’s role in facilitating infrastructure development through financing, feasibility studies, and pilot projects, with a strategic focus on expanding AI and cybersecurity applications globally. Current projects include subnet fiber infrastructure, 5G networks, and cybersecurity-enhanced systems, reflecting a shared commitment to secure technological advancement between the two nations.

The summit concluded with sector-focused panels that explored AI’s transformative role across key industries, the high-risk applications of AI in critical sectors, and the intricate relationship between data use, AI technologies, and cybersecurity measures. These discussions underscored the necessity of balanced regulatory frameworks and collaboration between governments, industry stakeholders, and civil society to harness AI’s full potential responsibly.

This emphasis on the strategic importance of AI and cybersecurity resonates with wider transatlantic initiatives. For example, AmCham Türkiye will further celebrate bilateral cooperation with the upcoming I AmChamPion Awards Gala & Annual Türkiye-U.S. Summit, which highlights achievements in areas like U.S. investment, sustainable innovation, and talent development. This event strengthens the message that fostering innovation and secure digital infrastructure remains central to both countries’ economic and technological policies.

The focus on responsible AI development and data governance aligns with parallel discussions in other transatlantic chambers, such as AmCham Romania's AI & Privacy Forum. There, policymakers and business leaders also stress the need for collaboration to ensure AI's secure and ethical implementation. The shared understanding across these forums reflects a broader recognition that innovation, regulation, and human-centric values must converge to foster trust, transparency, and sustainable growth in the age of AI.

In summary, the Türkiye–US Business Summit showcased how AI and cybersecurity not only redefine technological capabilities but also shape economic strategies and national security priorities. Through ongoing bilateral cooperation and expanded infrastructure projects, both countries aim to lead in a global race where technology advances swiftly, and secure, resilient digital ecosystems become indispensable.

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^[5] (AmCham Romania) - Paragraph 6
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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/turkiyeus-business-summit-highlights-ai-cybersecurity-as-strategic-priorities-3210663 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/turkiyeus-business-summit-highlights-ai-cybersecurity-as-strategic-priorities-3210663 - The Türkiye–US Business Summit, organised by AmCham Türkiye, was held in Istanbul on December 1, 2025, focusing on 'Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity: Sectoral Future Perspectives.' The event brought together officials and private-sector representatives from both countries. Emre Karter, Chair of AmCham Türkiye, highlighted that AI and cybersecurity are reshaping decision-making processes, competitiveness, and business structures across industries, stating that this is a fundamental transformation shaping the future of business and humanity. He emphasised that AI opens the door to a new era of productivity, while cybersecurity becomes one of the most strategic components of that era. Karter noted that companies and countries can unlock substantial growth opportunities by integrating both fields but warned that falling behind carries serious costs and risks. He added that AmCham Türkiye continues to work closely with public institutions in both countries on digital transformation, AI investment, cybersecurity standards, and data governance. Acting Director of the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Thomas Hardy, stated that the US administration aims to maintain global leadership in AI, data centres, and cybersecurity. He mentioned that there is a global race to implement artificial intelligence, and this race is moving very quickly. Developing secure AI and digital infrastructure is also a priority for Türkiye, and USTDA is committed to supporting strong commercial ties through secure technology partnerships. Hardy highlighted that AI capabilities are doubling roughly every seven months, turning the technology into a strategic economic and national security asset. He stressed that building secure digital infrastructure is essential for AI applications in energy, transport, healthcare, and smart city systems. The summit concluded with panels on the transformative role of AI in key sectors, high-risk industry applications, and data use in AI and cybersecurity.
https://www.ustda.gov/staff/thomas-r-hardy-2/ - Thomas R. Hardy is the Acting Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). He re-assumed this role on January 20, 2025, leading USTDA in the development of overseas infrastructure projects that strengthen U.S. national security, create export opportunities for U.S. goods and services, and support U.S. job creation. Prior to his current role, Mr. Hardy served as the Agency’s Director of Policy and Program Management, where he led five regional teams in executing USTDA’s mission. Previously, he was appointed by President Donald J. Trump to lead USTDA as the Director (Acting) from 2017-2020, helping transform the Agency to take on the challenges presented in an ever-changing global landscape. He has also served as USTDA’s Chief of Staff and as a Country Manager in the East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa regions.
https://www.amchamturkey.com/news/amcham-awards-2025/ - AmCham Türkiye is hosting the I AmChamPion Awards Gala & Annual Türkiye-U.S. Summit, celebrating bilateral economic relations and transatlantic partnership. The event will honour inspiring stories of impact and partnership in five categories: U.S. Investment, Regional Hub, Sustainable Innovation, Contribution to Talent Development, and Turkish Company of the Year. Earlier in the day, the Annual Türkiye-U.S. Business Summit will focus on 'AI & Cybersecurity: Future Perspectives on Sectors,' bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to explore AI’s transformative role in Türkiye’s key industries, regulatory and compliance challenges in high-stakes sectors, and the intersection of data, AI, and cybersecurity.
https://www.amcham.ro/amcham-romania-news/amcham-ai--privacy-forum-exploring-the-balance-between-innovation-regulation-and-human-centric-growth- - AmCham Romania organised its first AI & Privacy Forum, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, and academic experts for a discussion on how artificial intelligence and data protection frameworks can coexist and reinforce each other to drive competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth. The forum opened with a shared understanding that AI represents a paradigm shift requiring collaboration between regulators, companies, and citizens to ensure trust, transparency, and responsible use.
https://www.amcham.ro/event/ai--privacy-forum/register - AmCham Romania is inviting members to the AmCham AI & Privacy Forum, scheduled for November 11, 2025, at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel. The forum will provide a platform to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping business and governance, and how privacy and data protection frameworks can support its secure and responsible implementation. The event will feature panels on the interplay between AI and GDPR, and unlocking the value of AI in business in Romania.
https://www.amcham.ro/amcham-romania-news/amcham-ai--privacy-forum-exploring-the-balance-between-innovation-regulation-and-human-centric-growth- - AmCham Romania organised its first AI & Privacy Forum, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, and academic experts for a discussion on how artificial intelligence and data protection frameworks can coexist and reinforce each other to drive competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth. The forum opened with a shared understanding that AI represents a paradigm shift requiring collaboration between regulators, companies, and citizens to ensure trust, transparency, and responsible use.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of prior publication or recycling. The event occurred on December 1, 2025, and the report was published on December 2, 2025, indicating timely coverage. The content is original, with no signs of being republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data and new material, justifying a higher freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The quotes from Emre Karter and Thomas Hardy are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. No variations in wording were noted, and no online matches were found, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from Türkiye Today, a news outlet that appears to be obscure and unverifiable, lacking a substantial online presence or reputation. This raises concerns about the reliability of the source. Emre Karter is identified as the Chair of AmCham Türkiye, and Thomas Hardy as the Acting Director of the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Both individuals hold positions that are verifiable online, lending credibility to their statements.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about the transformative impact of AI and cybersecurity are plausible and align with current global discussions. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic, with no strange phrasing or spelling variants. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for a corporate or official report.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: Despite the freshness and originality of the content, the reliability of the source raises significant concerns. The lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the unverified nature of the news outlet contribute to a medium level of confidence in the overall assessment.

AI
Cybersecurity
International cooperation