Local AI system secures TEKNOFEST in Şanlıurfa
During this year' s TEKNOFEST South-East, currently being held in Şanlıurfa, security screening has been placed in the hands of a locally developed, AI-powered system called " Karagöz." This system, described as " yerli ve milli" (national and domestic), has been designed to assist Turkish gendarmerie teams in identifying wanted individuals by comparing facial images against registered data.
Karagöz represents a significant step for Turkey' s investment in home-grown technology within the security sector.
Its primary function is to perform facial recognition and database searches, which streamlines the effort to detect potential threats and wanted persons amidst the large crowds attending events like TEKNOFEST. The deployment of the Karagöz system at such a high-profile event as TEKNOFEST underscores Turkey' s commitment to promoting nationally developed technology.
TEKNOFEST is the country’s largest aerospace and technology festival, serving as a vital arena for showcasing Turkish engineering and innovation.
The use of a " yerli ve milli" system for security highlights the objective of reducing reliance on foreign technology in critical areas such as defence and public safety. This type of domestic development is strategically important for Turkey, as it contributes to technological sovereignty and strengthens the nation’s security.
By developing its own solutions in artificial intelligence and security technology, Turkey is positioning itself as an actor capable of addressing complex security challenges with bespoke, tailored solutions. It is also important to note that the Karagöz system operates within the framework of Turkey’s Data Protection Law (KVKK).
This aspect is crucial for ensuring that personal data is handled responsibly and in accordance with legislation, helping to build trust in the use of advanced surveillance and identification systems in public spaces. The inclusion of privacy provisions demonstrates an awareness regarding the ethical and legal implications of AI-powered facial recognition.
Such systems have the potential to be used in a variety of other security applications in the future, ranging from border control to urban safety, and the successful implementation in Şanlıurfa could lay the foundation for a broader rollout of similar Turkish-developed AI solutions across the entire country.
Source: TRT Haber
