Erdoğan warns that tech giants are targeting Turkish youth

At an event marking the 75th year of the İlim Yayma Society in Istanbul, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that dominant technology companies are targeting Turkish youngsters to steer societal development toward their own interests. He described these actors as "tech oligarchs" who treat the world as a playground for their ambitions, pointing to recent incidents in schools as a warning sign. Erdoğan emphasized the accelerating impact of technology and artificial intelligence on daily life, arguing that safeguarding national identity against global cultural pressure is crucial.

He highlighted TEKNOFEST, Turkey’s aerospace and technology festival, as a showcase of youth who can resist such influences. The president also commended the society’s founders for building over 100 imam hatip schools and providing scholarships and dormitories that have enabled tens of thousands of students to continue their studies.