President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the world is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by technology and artificial intelligence, warning that the shift cannot be stopped and must instead be managed carefully.
Speaking at an OECD summit in Istanbul, Erdoğan said governments face growing responsibility to adapt to technological change.
“The world is experiencing a sharp transformation led by technology and artificial intelligence. It is not possible to stop this wave of change,” he said. “It is in our hands to manage change in a healthy way.”
Labor markets under pressure
Erdoğan said technological advances are already reshaping labor markets, with traditional employment patterns being disrupted and new job sectors emerging.
“Production processes are changing in parallel with technological development, and new job fields are emerging,” he said, adding that human skills will determine countries’ success.
He also highlighted demographic challenges across OECD countries, noting a decline in the working-age population alongside labor shortages in certain sectors.
AI and robotics reshape production
The Turkish president warned that robotics and artificial intelligence could fundamentally alter global production systems.
“The global robotics market, currently around $100 billion, is expected to grow into a $25 trillion market by 2050,” he said.
He added that the prospect of AI-driven systems operating without human input presents a major policy challenge.
Education and social policy shifts
Erdoğan said education systems must evolve to focus not only on knowledge, but also on adaptability and the ability to process information.
“Outdated knowledge becomes a burden… Having knowledge is as important as processing it and adapting it to new situations,” he said.
He also pointed to increased female participation in the workforce, which he said had reached 34.7%, and outlined a goal of adding 3 million young people to employment within three years.
The remarks come as countries worldwide grapple with the economic and social implications of rapid technological change.