Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries, economies, and legal systems around the world. Turkey is no exception. As AI-powered tools become embedded in business operations, healthcare, finance, and public services, the question of how Turkish law governs these technologies is becoming increasingly important — especially for foreign nationals running businesses or investing in Turkey. Understanding the current legal landscape for AI in Turkey is essential for staying compliant and protecting your interests.
Does Turkey Have a Dedicated AI Law?
As of 2025, Turkey does not yet have a single, standalone AI law. However, this does not mean artificial intelligence operates in a legal vacuum. A combination of existing legislation, regulatory frameworks, and international alignment efforts — particularly with the European Union — collectively shapes how AI is regulated in Turkey. The Turkish government has signalled clear intent to develop a comprehensive AI strategy, and several official documents already lay the groundwork for future legislation.
Turkey’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2021–2025), published by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, outlines the country’s vision for responsible AI development. It addresses issues such as data governance, algorithmic accountability, and the ethical use of AI systems. While the strategy is not legally binding in itself, it guides regulatory priorities and signals where binding rules are likely to emerge.
Key Legal Areas Governing AI in Turkey
Even without dedicated AI legislation, several existing Turkish laws directly affect how artificial intelligence systems are developed, deployed, and used. Foreign nationals and businesses operating in Turkey should be aware of the following areas:
- Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK): Turkey’s primary data protection statute, Law No. 6698, mirrors many principles of the EU’s GDPR. AI systems that process personal data — including automated decision-making tools — must comply with KVKK requirements on lawful processing, data minimisation, and explicit consent. The Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK Kurumu) actively enforces these rules and has issued fines for non-compliance.
- Turkish Commercial Code and Contract Law: AI-generated contracts, algorithmic trading systems, and automated business decisions are assessed under the general principles of Turkish contract law. Questions of liability — particularly when an AI system causes harm or produces an erroneous outcome — are currently resolved through existing tort and contract provisions.
- Intellectual Property Law: Ownership of AI-generated content remains a contested area. Under Turkish intellectual property law, copyright generally requires a human author. Works created autonomously by an AI system may not qualify for full copyright protection, creating important implications for companies relying on generative AI tools.
- Electronic Commerce and Communications Law: AI-driven platforms, recommendation algorithms, and automated customer interactions are subject to Turkey’s Law No. 6563 on Electronic Commerce and related secondary regulations. Transparency obligations and consumer protection rules apply to AI systems operating in commercial contexts.
- Sector-Specific Regulations: In regulated industries such as banking, insurance, and healthcare, sector-specific rules impose additional requirements on the use of automated systems. The Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) and the Capital Markets Board (SPK), for example, have issued guidance relevant to algorithmic and AI-assisted financial services.
Turkey and the EU AI Act: What Is the Relationship?
Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership and has historically aligned much of its legislation with EU standards. The EU Artificial Intelligence Act, which entered into force in 2024, introduces a risk-based regulatory framework that classifies AI systems as unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk, or minimal risk. While Turkey is not directly bound by the EU AI Act, businesses operating across both jurisdictions must navigate both frameworks simultaneously. Turkish authorities are closely monitoring EU developments, and it is widely expected that future Turkish AI legislation will draw heavily from the EU model.
For foreign nationals running cross-border operations — particularly those with ties to EU member states — this means that compliance planning should account for both Turkish requirements and EU obligations from the outset.
Liability and Accountability for AI Systems in Turkey
One of the most practically significant legal questions surrounding AI is liability: when an AI system causes financial loss, personal injury, or a breach of rights, who is responsible? Turkish law currently addresses this through general principles of tort law under the Code of Obligations (Borçlar Kanunu). Liability typically falls on the developer, operator, or deployer of the AI system, depending on the nature of the harm and the contractual relationships involved.
There is growing academic and regulatory discussion in Turkey about whether existing liability rules are adequate for advanced AI systems — particularly autonomous or self-learning systems whose outputs may be difficult to predict or explain. Legislative reform in this area is anticipated as AI adoption accelerates.
Practical Steps for Businesses and Individuals Using AI in Turkey
Whether you are a startup founder, a technology company, or a foreign national using AI tools in your Turkish business, there are concrete steps you can take to manage legal risk:
- Conduct a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) before deploying AI systems that process personal data under KVKK.
- Review your terms of service and contracts to address AI-generated outputs, liability allocation, and intellectual property ownership.
- Monitor sector-specific regulatory guidance if you operate in banking, healthcare, insurance, or another regulated industry.
- Stay informed about the progress of Turkey’s forthcoming AI legislation and assess how it may affect your current practices.
- Seek qualified legal advice before launching AI-driven products or services in the Turkish market.
How Mona Hukuk Can Help
Navigating AI law in Turkey requires a legal team that understands both the technical realities of artificial intelligence and the nuances of Turkish legislation. Mona Hukuk, based in Antalya, includes Av. Mustafa Akçakuş, who specialises in AI Law and IT Law and works extensively with foreign nationals and international businesses operating in Turkey. The firm provides practical, up-to-date legal guidance on data protection compliance, AI-related contracts, intellectual property issues, and regulatory risk — in English and in a way that makes Turkish law genuinely accessible to clients from abroad.
If you have questions about how Turkish AI law applies to your business or personal situation, do not wait for regulations to catch up with technology. Get ahead of compliance requirements now. Contact Mona Hukuk by emailing info@monarights.com or calling +90 (532) 390 05 10 to arrange a consultation with a specialist in Turkish AI and IT law.