Rapidly evolving global AI technologies are fostering a robust ecosystem in Türkiye as well. Operating under Innovance part of OYAK’s venture capital portfolio DataSpecta has spent four years developing domestic large language models and AI solutions tailored to various sectors. The company drives these efforts with an engineering team of 80 people.

Noting the significant growth of Türkiye’s AI ecosystem in recent years, Innovance Founder and General Manager Yusuf Ürey said, "DataSpecta, which we established four years ago, focuses on data and AI technologies. Today, our team of 80 engineers works on large language models, generative AI solutions, and enterprise AI applications. We are developing generative AI solutions for finance, human resources, marketing, and various business processes. Additionally, we are conducting AI transformation initiatives across numerous OYAK companies."

More than 10 products were developed on the GPU infrastructure

Stating that they conduct their artificial intelligence operations on a GPU infrastructure established in-house, Ürey noted that this investment has accelerated the entire process, from model development to productization. Yusuf Ürey continued:

"We invested in GPU servers at DataSpecta. Thanks to this infrastructure, we can deliver end-to-end solutions using large language models that we either develop ourselves or optimize to meet specific organizational needs. The ability to work within our own environment—without moving data externally—provides us with both security and flexibility. Leveraging this environment, our R&D team has developed over ten products and solutions to date, most notably comprehensive platforms such as codeSpecta and CogniSpecta."

Noting that some of the developed solutions are also utilized in the company's own projects, Ürey said, "We do not merely offer the technologies we create to our clients; we also employ them in our own projects. Today, we develop code with AI support, execute modernization projects by analyzing the code of existing systems, and generate data models and reports. These use cases are growing day by day. Using our own products firsthand in the field allows us to refine and mature them based on real-world needs. This approach has yielded tangible benefits for us in three key areas: standardization, speed, and quality."

The importance of domestic technologies in artificial intelligence

Noting that artificial intelligence accelerates transformation across numerous fields ranging from defense and logistics to industry and finance Yusuf Ürey highlighted the importance of domestic technology development capabilities.

Stating that recent global developments have made the strategic importance of artificial intelligence more apparent, Ürey continued:

“However, developing reliable, sustainable, and domestic technologies is of great importance not only in the defense sector but across all the industries we serve. Artificial intelligence solutions where data is managed securely and systems are tailored to institutional needs are becoming a cornerstone of digital transformation. Developing domestic competencies in critical technologies and strengthening institutional technological capabilities is crucial.”

The artificial intelligence ecosystem in Türkiye is growing

Noting the rapid development of technology startups and the use of artificial intelligence in Türkiye, Ürey said, "The artificial intelligence ecosystem in Türkiye is strengthening day by day. We see that the technologies being developed are increasingly being adopted by both institutions and individuals. This development creates significant opportunities for domestic technology producers as well."

Highlighting the importance of investments in domestic technology startups, Ürey stated, "Both investment and long-term R&D (Research and Development) are of great importance in the field of artificial intelligence. Companies worldwide are investing billions of dollars in AI technologies. At Innovance, we continue to develop domestic technologies by collaborating with institutions across various sectors particularly OYAK companies in the fields of data and artificial intelligence."

A shared artificial intelligence infrastructure within OYAK

Touching upon the initiatives carried out within OYAK, Yusuf Ürey stated that they have established a shared artificial intelligence infrastructure in collaboration with OYAK Digital.

Explaining that they designed this shared infrastructure with OYAK Digital to reduce the high costs associated with AI technologies and to provide services to OYAK companies through a centralized structure, Ürey said, "Through this structure, we aim to develop the AI solutions required by the companies in a more secure, fast, and efficient manner."