At the "Data Science Summit Award Ceremony and Panel Program" organized in collaboration with the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK), Google, GirVAK, and the Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK), the importance of data was discussed.
In his opening speech at the program, Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, stated that the importance of the data concept is increasing day by day and that data has become as essential as bread and water. Sayan said, "Protecting it is also our responsibility as the government. The way to achieve this is clear, the roadmap is clear; domestic and national production."
Pointing out that all countries have their eyes on 5G technologies, Sayan stated that these technologies will play an important role in strengthening socio-economic transformations by increasing productivity, sustainability, efficiency, and overall welfare levels.
Deputy Minister Sayan: We Must Produce Technology with Domestic and National Means to the Highest Possible Extent
Emphasizing once again the importance they attach to domestic and national production, Sayan said, "We have set out with the motto of being domestic and national to achieve our goals. The 2023 vision is the main axis of our work. For this purpose, we are conducting high value-added innovative studies in Türkiye. As the Ministry, we are seeking ways to do more than our best by coming together with sector stakeholders to become one of the countries that produce technology with domestic and national means to the highest possible extent."
Stating that all innovations in all sectors need to be followed to achieve success in domestic and national information technologies, Sayan noted that artificial intelligence, one of the topics they closely follow, will occupy much more space in every area of life in the coming years.
President Karagözoğlu: Data Becomes Useful When Combined with Powerful Analyses
BTK President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu also shared the information that almost all smart devices that have replaced human-powered tools in the past now produce data with sensors. Karagözoğlu said, "Just like the footprints we leave while walking on a beach, every step we take with technology turns into digital footprints as data and is stored somewhere."
Pointing out that data is a sensitive issue that requires focusing not on how much information one has, but on what is done with it, Karagözoğlu stated that data obtained from any source is analyzed for purposes such as smart decision-making, new project development, and resource and time savings.
Emphasizing that data becomes useful when combined with powerful analyses, Karagözoğlu said, "We can liken storing and interpreting data to a bird's two wings. When they work together, they create value, allow us to cover distances, and provide operational benefits. As an institution, we attach great importance to the studies conducted in this regard. Awareness-raising efforts are our most important strength in this field. In this context, we are carrying out important activities to raise awareness and educate our children. The trainings provided by BTK Academy are one of the most important parts of our work."
Following the speeches, awards were presented to the winners of the Datathon 2022 competition held in the field of data science.