Istanbul. A recent study by Twentify, commissioned by DE-CIX on “Technologies Shaping the Future of Digitalization”*, conducted among technology leaders in Türkiye, reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) tops the list of near-future investment priorities for companies. AI also ranks first among technologies expected to stand out in the short term, with 44% of respondents identifying it as a key area for business in general. In the eyes of businesses, AI is seen as both a strategic and operational priority. That said, a cautious approach still prevails in terms of usage: only 2% of companies report that AI is currently being used in a strategic and widespread manner across the organization.
As the world’s leading Internet Exchange (IX) operator, DE-CIX commissioned a study by Twentify that surveyed technology decision-makers from 200 companies of various sizes in Türkiye. The research uncovers technology leaders’ hopes, concerns, and plans in this new era. According to the findings, AI (44%), hybrid cloud solutions (27%), and Industry 4.0 applications (23%) are expected to be the most prominent technologies in the business world over the next five years. These expectations are also reflected in investment plans: 43% of respondents intend to invest in AI, 26% in machine learning, and 25% in cloud computing in the near term.
Digital Transformation Is Underway, AI Use Cases Remain Open for Development
Nearly 60% of participants state that they have made moderate progress in their digital transformation journey, and 45% say they are already using AI-based applications in their business processes. Among those using AI, 30% report that it is deployed more widely in certain departments, while only 2% say it is used strategically and broadly across the company. These findings indicate that companies in Türkiye are taking their initial steps toward integrating AI into business operations and are beginning to move beyond the experimental stage.
On the Path to Trust in AI: “I'm Afraid of a System That Shapes My Future Without Understanding My Emotions”
Technology decision-makers hold high expectations for the benefits of AI. Among executives, 25% expect AI to save time, 25% cite its potential for personalized customer experience, 23% for data analysis, 22% for operational efficiency, and 21% for reducing errors.
However, some uncertainty remains. 53% of participants say they are undecided on whether they trust AI. Nearly 30% of Turkish decision-makers express concerns about a system that does not understand emotions influencing their future. Around 25% are hesitant about the idea that AI could one day become a manager or pose a threat to their jobs. Nonetheless, the data also indicates that this hesitation is not rooted in the technology itself, but rather in resistance to change. The research shows that difficulties in employee adoption (29%) and ethical or cultural resistance (20%) point to a lack of a culture of adaptation. For organizations, this highlights the need for a roadmap based on building trust, transparency, and inclusive transformation strategies to accelerate AI adoption.
Expectations From Infrastructure Partners: Not Just a Service Provider, But a Strategic Ally
In data-intensive technologies like AI and cloud computing, an infrastructure partner must go beyond being a service provider – it should offer secure, seamless, and intelligent routing as a transformation ally. The research confirms this: companies list reliable connectivity (33%), enhanced data security (29%), and technical consultancy (23%) as their top expectations.
Interconnection infrastructure providers like DE-CIX meet these expectations with low-latency and secure connections, ensuring uninterrupted and efficient operation of AI-powered applications. DE-CIX’s private interconnection infrastructure bypasses the public Internet to deliver direct access to cloud and AI providers, reducing data travel time and giving clients control over the data path. This is especially critical to ensure the high speed, security, and data integrity that AI applications demand.
Bülent Şen, DE-CIX Türkiye Regional Director, emphasizes the critical role of infrastructure in the success of AI: “Many companies have already made significant progress in their digital transformation journey. However, for cutting-edge technologies like AI to be truly integrated into business processes, robust, low-latency, and direct connectivity infrastructure is essential. This is where secure and dedicated connections – independent of the public Internet – come into play. At DE-CIX, we aim not only to deliver a technical service to businesses but also to be a transformation partner that enhances efficiency through high-performance digital infrastructure.”
* About the survey: Conducted by Twentify, the survey data is based on interviews conducted via CATI/CAPI methods with 200 participants between May 27 and June 10. Respondents were IT decision-makers from companies using at least one business software, located in İstanbul and Ankara, who had agreed in advance to participate.