Turkcell, Türkiye’s leading technology company and mobile operator, hosted the face-to-face meeting of the ITU-T Focus Group on AI-Native Network (FG-AINN), a pioneering initiative under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The event, held in Istanbul, brought together over 100 global industry experts, regulators, and thought leaders to discuss integrating artificial intelligence into future telecom infrastructures.
Key Participants and Discussions
Notable participants included Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, Chairman of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), and Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. Dr. Ali Taha Koç, CEO of Turkcell, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing communication technologies during his opening remarks.
“Hosting this prestigious event in Türkiye reflects our ambition to lead digital transformation not only nationally but globally,” said Dr. Koç. “AI-powered networks will soon become the backbone of next-generation communication.” The meeting focused on network architecture, standards development, and implementation strategies for AI-native telecommunications networks.
Advancing AI in Telecom
The FG-AINN group was established to explore embedding artificial intelligence into telecom infrastructure, shifting from traditional automation to intelligent, self-optimizing systems. The event coincided with World Quantum Day, highlighting the growing role of quantum technologies in secure and scalable networks.
“Quantum will be a key enabler of the future of secure communication,” Dr. Koç noted. Turkcell is participating in the GSMA task force investigating post-quantum cryptography applications in the telecom industry.
Global Impact
This ITU focus group meeting marked a significant step in international efforts to define and standardize AI-native networks. Seizo Onoe emphasized the need for consensus-driven standards to shape the full deployment of AI-native networks.
BTK Chairman Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu added, “The transition to AI-powered networks is a paradigm shift that will transform all sectors. We’re advancing our work on defining AI-driven networks and exploring their potential impact.”
About Turkcell and ITU
Turkcell is a technology and telecommunications company headquartered in Türkiye, offering voice, data, and IPTV services. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the UN agency for digital technologies, driving innovation with 194 Member States and over 1,000 members from various sectors.
