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Turkey labels artificial intelligence as a national security threat

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Turkey has identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a national security threat in a major update to its classified security document, marking a significant shift in the country’s threat assessment, BBC Turkish service reported Thursday, citing anonymous sources from Turkey’s security apparatus.

The National Security Council (MGK) approved the updated National Security Policy Document (MGSB), commonly known in Turkey as the “Red Book,” during a meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on January 22, according to a statement posted on the council’s website.

The Red Book serves as Turkey’s most critical classified security document, often described as the Turkish state’s “secret constitution.”

While its specific contents remain confidential, it traditionally addresses issues ranging from terrorism and border security to regional conflicts and economic threats.

The statement said the MGSB-2020 had been withdrawn and replaced by MGSB-2025.

It noted that the council evaluated political, military, economic and social developments affecting national security in 2024 and discussed potential challenges, planned activities and necessary measures for 2025.

This updated version, prepared in coordination with the MGK, along with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), also reportedly discusses cybersecurity threats, energy security and regional conflicts as top priorities.

For the first time, AI is named as a national security threat in the MGSB. This aligns with recent statements from MİT chief İbrahim Kalın, who recently described AI as “the atomic bomb of the digital age.”

“Unrestricted AI studies directly threaten the future of humanity,” Kalın said in a speech recently, according to BBC Turkish.

BBC Turkish also reported that the updated MGSB calls for all security-related institutions, notably MİT, to take measures against the cyber threat — also featuring AI — and develop technological infrastructure accordingly.

This focus on AI security comes after President Erdoğan established, by decree, the Cybersecurity Presidency on January 8, 2024 to coordinate Turkey’s cybersecurity efforts.

Although talks with Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), have been continuing and rumors of a declaration of the disbandment of the PKK on February 15 are spreading, BBC Turkish says the PKK, which has waged an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies, is still considered in the new MGSB as one of the main internal threats.

This assessment came after a recent meeting between a delegation from the pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and Öcalan.

The new MGSB further sends a crucial signal in the wake of wider regional challenges, especially for northern Syria. Though it has been six weeks since since December 8, when Bashar al-Assad’s regime was overthrown, Ankara continues to regard the US-protected Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) east of the Euphrates as a serious threat because of its links to the PKK.

The MGK, which was established by the constitution as the highest advisory body to the head of state on issues related to national security, meets bimonthly under the chairmanship of the president.

The council comprises the vice president, the ministers of justice, defense, interior and foreign affairs, the chief of general staff and commanders of the land, air and naval forces.

Turkey’s decision to classify artificial intelligence as a national security threat comes at a time when AI development is growing rapidly worldwide.

A $500 billion initiative, led by OpenAI and SoftBank, aims to build an advanced AI infrastructure in the US to secure American leadership in the field while creating jobs and economic growth.

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