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Artificial Intelligence Redefined at Future AI Summit 26 in Istanbul!

Bahçeşehir University hosted Future AI Summit in Istanbul for the third time on June 22–23, 2026, bringing together leading voices from academia, technology, business, entrepreneurship and the public sector at BAU’s campus in the heart of Istanbul.

Organized under the theme “Redesign Intelligence,” Future AI Summit 26 explored how the rapidly developing relationship between human and artificial intelligence is transforming industries, organizations and society. Throughout the two-day summit, participants discussed not only the technological capabilities of artificial intelligence but also its influence on education, creativity, business models, ethics and everyday life.

The summit began with opening speeches by BAU Global Vice President Dr. Serdar Şenel, Bahçeşehir University Rector Prof. Dr. Esra Hatipoğlu and Bahçeşehir University Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees Hüseyin Yücel. The opening program was followed by a keynote address from Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, President of the Secretariat of Defence Industries of the Republic of Türkiye.

Redesigning Intelligence Across Industries

Across three stages, Future AI Summit 26 hosted keynote speeches, panels, presentations, workshops and networking sessions addressing the current and future applications of artificial intelligence.

The extensive program examined AI from a wide range of perspectives, including technology, education, healthcare, marketing, financial services, cybersecurity, defence, media, gaming, human resources, entrepreneurship, consumer experience and creative industries. Discussions also addressed responsible and explainable AI, trust, transparency, governance and the ethical questions emerging as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into decision-making processes.

Representatives from global technology companies, universities, financial institutions, public organizations, startups and investment networks shared their experiences and insights throughout the summit. Speakers included professionals and researchers from organizations such as Amazon Web Services, Huawei, Microsoft Türkiye, DenizBank, Turkish Airlines, Türkiye Sigorta Birliği and the T3 Foundation, alongside BAU academics, graduates and entrepreneurs.

Sessions such as “Redesigning Intelligence: Where Universities and Human Vision Meet AI Innovation,” “Redesigning Intelligence with Trust: From Explainable AI to Responsible AI Governance,” and “AI Startups & A Venture Capital Perspective” highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in developing artificial intelligence systems that create measurable and responsible value.

Participants also had the opportunity to experience practical applications of new technologies through workshops, startup presentations and interactive sessions. These activities created an environment where researchers, students, investors, entrepreneurs and industry professionals could exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations.

BAU at the Centre of the AI Conversation

Hosting Future AI Summit for the fourth time strengthened Bahçeşehir University’s position as a meeting point between academic knowledge and industry experience.

Bahcesehir University’s academics contributed to discussions on AI governance, education, healthcare, communication, sustainability and technology, while BAU graduates shared their experiences of building AI-focused ventures and navigating the changing business environment.

The participation of students was also an important part of the summit. By meeting researchers, founders and global industry representatives, students were able to observe how artificial intelligence is being used beyond the classroom and gain a closer understanding of emerging professional fields. They get to have their participation certificate for free as well.

Located between Europe and Asia, BAU’s Beşiktaş campus provided a unique setting for the international gathering. The summit transformed the campus into an active centre for conversations about how intelligence, creativity and innovation can be redesigned through the collaboration of humans and machines.

Following the summits held in Istanbul in 2024 and Istanbul and London in 2025, Future AI Summit 2026 continued to expand the platform’s role in connecting the global artificial intelligence ecosystem. Once again, Bahçeşehir University brought together diverse perspectives and disciplines to contribute to one of the most important discussions of our time: how artificial intelligence can be developed and used to shape a more innovative, responsible and human-centred future.

All keynote speeches, panel discussions and presentations from Future AI Summit 26 are available on the official YouTube playlist. Explore the full program and watch the summit sessions here.