According to TurkStat data, generative AI usage rose to 37.6 percent in one year

The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) has published the Artificial Intelligence Statistics for 2026. According to data based on the Household Information Technology Usage Survey and the Information Technology Usage in Enterprises Survey, the proportion of individuals stating that they use generative artificial intelligence rose from 19.2 percent in 2025 to 37.6 percent in 2026.

While the results of the survey regarding individuals cover the 16-74 age group, data regarding enterprises were calculated based on businesses with 10 or more employees. The proportion of enterprises stating that they use any of the artificial intelligence technologies also rose from 7.5 percent to 14.0 percent in the same period.

YOUNG PEOPLE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRADUATES STAND OUT

In 2026, the generative artificial intelligence usage rate was recorded as 37.2 percent for men and 38.1 percent for women. Among age groups, the highest rate was observed 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.

According to education level, the highest usage rate occurred among higher education graduates with 62.7 percent. The rate was 45.4 percent for high school or vocational high school graduates, 35.5 percent for primary or secondary school graduates, and 8.5 percent for primary school graduates.

Personal needs ranked first among the purposes of use for individuals using artificial intelligence. Accordingly, 86.4 percent of users reported using artificial intelligence for personal purposes. Usage for professional purposes was calculated at 37.3 percent, and usage for formal education purposes was calculated at 32.6 percent.

USAGE INCREASING IN ENTERPRISES

According to TurkStat data, the proportion of enterprises using any of the artificial intelligence technologies rose from 2.7 percent in 2021 to 14.0 percent in 2026. As the number of employees increased, the usage rate also rose: the rate was 12.8 percent in enterprises with 10-49 employees, 17.0 percent in those with 50-249 employees, and 37.1 percent in those with 250 or more employees.

Among economic activity groups, the area with the highest artificial intelligence usage was determined to be telecommunications, programming, and information activities with 63.7 percent. This area was followed by publishing, radio-TV, and content activities with 57.1 percent, and the repair of computers and communication equipment with 32.4 percent.

The most common purpose of use in enterprises using artificial intelligence was marketing or sales with 51.0 percent. Usage for R&D or innovation activities was recorded at 46.3 percent, and usage for production or service processes was recorded at 43.4 percent.

Open-source software stood out in the methods enterprises use to acquire artificial intelligence software and systems. 67.8 percent of enterprises using artificial intelligence declared that they benefit from open-source software, while 49.1 percent stated they use closed-source software, whether paid or free.

According to the data, 16.6 percent of enterprises using artificial intelligence technology reported that they process personal data such as gender, age, occupation, education status, address information, purchase records, or facial images through these technologies.

For enterprises that do not use artificial intelligence but are considering it, the most significant obstacle was the lack of expertise. This reason was followed by a lack of relevant expertise at 72.3 percent, uncertainty regarding legal consequences at 66.4 percent, and data protection and privacy concerns at 65.4 percent.

News Source: 12punto