Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) published 2026 Artificial Intelligence Statistics. The bulletin, which is based on the results of the Household Information Technologies Usage Survey and the Information Technologies Usage in Enterprises Survey, covers individuals in the 16-74 age group and enterprises with 10 or more employees.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE OF INDIVIDUALS INCREASED TO 37.6 PERCENT
The rate of individuals who declared that they use productive artificial intelligence increased from 19.2 percent in 2025 to 37.6 percent in 2026.
By 2026, women will surpass men in the use of artificial intelligence. While 37.2 percent of men stated that they used artificial intelligence, this rate was 38.1 percent for women.
According to age groups, the highest usage was seen in the 16-24 age group with 64.9 percent. This group was followed by the 25-34 age group with 55.7 percent and the 35-44 age group with 38.1 percent.
AS EDUCATION INCREASED, USE ALSO INCREASED
The level of education was also a determining factor in the use of artificial intelligence.
In 2026, the artificial intelligence usage rate was highest among higher education graduates with 62.7 percent. This group was followed by high school or vocational high school graduates with 45.4 percent, primary or secondary school graduates with 35.5 percent, and primary school graduates with 8.5 percent.
IT WAS MOST USED FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES
86.4 percent of individuals using artificial intelligence used these technologies for specific purposes.
The rate of use for professional purposes was 37.3 percent, and the rate of use for formal education was 32.6 percent.
When examined on a gender basis, occupational use was recorded as 43.2 percent for men and 31.2 percent for women. Usage for formal education was 36.1 percent for women and 29.1 percent for men.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE IN COMPANIES IS 14 PERCENT
The use of artificial intelligence in startups has also increased rapidly.
The rate of startups stating that they use any artificial intelligence technology increased from 2.7 percent in 2021 to 14 percent in 2026.
The highest usage according to the number of employees was seen in large enterprises. While 37.1 percent of startups with 250 or more employees stated that they use artificial intelligence, this rate was 17.0 percent in startups with 50-249 employees and 12.8 percent in startups with 10-49 employees.
THE RATE IN THE INFORMATICS SECTOR IS 63.7 PERCENT
According to economic activity groups, the area with the highest use of artificial intelligence was telecommunications, programming and informatics activities with 63.7 percent.
This field was followed by publishing, radio-TV and content activities with 57.1 percent, and repair of computers and communication tools and equipment with 32.4 percent.
COMPANIES USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MOST IN MARKETING
The most common use purpose in startups using artificial intelligence was marketing and sales.
51 percent of startups used artificial intelligence software or systems for marketing or sales purposes. This was followed by research and development or innovation activities with 46.3 percent, and production or service processes with 43.4 percent.
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE FEATURED
67.8 percent of the startups using artificial intelligence used open source software, and 49.1 percent used closed source software, free or paid.
While the rate of startups that developed artificial intelligence software or systems for external providers was 46.5 percent, the rate of those developed by their own employees was 32.1 percent.
ONE IN 6 COMPANIES PROCESSED PERSONAL DATA
16.6 percent of startups using artificial intelligence technology declared that they process personal data about individuals using these technologies.
In this context, data such as gender, age, profession, education level, address information, purchasing records or facial images were included.
The rate was 16.9 percent in enterprises with 10-49 employees, 15.3 percent in enterprises with 50-249 employees and 17 percent in enterprises with 250 or more employees.
The rate of startups that did not use any artificial intelligence technology but stated that they were considering using it was 8.3 percent.
This rate was recorded as 7.4 percent in enterprises with 10-49 employees, 12.2 percent in enterprises with 50-249 employees and 14.9 percent in enterprises with 250 or more employees.
THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE IS LACK OF EXPERTISE
The most important obstacle for startups that are considering using artificial intelligence but have not yet used it is the lack of expertise.
72.3 percent of these startups cited the lack of relevant expertise as a reason for not using artificial intelligence. This was followed by legal uncertainties regarding who will be responsible for damages resulting from the use of artificial intelligence with 66.4 percent, and concerns about data protection and privacy violations with 65.4 percent.
