The Early Steps of Artificial Intelligence in Türkiye: Cahit Arf’s Question of the “Thinking Machine”

From the smartphones we hold today to AI applications that simplify our lives, many technologies were shaped by a simple question posed in the mid-twentieth century: Can machines think? In Türkiye, the legendary mathematician Cahit Arf opened this question to discussion from his own perspective.

World’s First Discussions on “Thinking Machines”

The conceptual foundations of artificial intelligence begin with thinkers such as Descartes and Leibniz who in the 17th and 18th centuries compared the human mind to machines. However, these questions gained scientific grounding with Alan Turing’s 1950 inquiry: “Can machines think?” Turing proposed a conversation-based test (the Turing Test) to determine whether machines could respond in ways indistinguishable from humans. In 1956, the term “artificial intelligence” entered the literature for the first time at the Dartmouth Conference, after which research in the field rapidly accelerated.^【1】

Cahit Arf and Public Discussions on Artificial Intelligence in Türkiye

In Türkiye, scientific and public debates on this question began with Cahit Arf. In a 1959 lecture in Erzurum titled “Can Machines Think and How?”, Arf examined whether machines could exhibit mental abilities such as language use, logical reasoning, and pattern recognition. He identified the absence of “aesthetic consciousness” as the fundamental distinction between machines and humans.

Arf also offered concrete examples: evaluating everyday devices like alarm clocks or telephones through their patterns of response to input, he questioned the very notion of a “thinking machine” within a philosophical framework.

(Image generated by artificial intelligence.)

Does Arf’s Work Relate to Today’s Applications?

As a scientist of the 20th century, Arf could not have foreseen today’s technologies at their current scale. Yet his philosophical approach remarkably aligns with today’s natural language processing (NLP) and behavior-based AI systems—particularly in his focus on a machine’s capacity to interact with language, respond to stimuli, and manifest thought-like behavior. Arf’s “stimulus-response” analysis seems to have anticipated the core interaction logic underlying modern AI applications.^{【2】 【3】}

What Did Arf Mean by “Stimulus-Response”?

Arf defined the tangible manifestation of thought as “different responses to different stimuli,” illustrating this with everyday devices such as clocks and telephones. We give a digital alarm clock a command in its own language—“ring at 4 o’clock”—and it rings. On an automatic telephone, lifting the receiver signals “I want to speak”; the system then responds with sounds like “düt/dıııt.” Arf interpreted these as behaviors of “simple thinking machines.”^【4】

Academic Comparisons

An analysis titled “Can Thinking Machines Exist in Turing and Cahit Arf?” systematically compares the contributions of both thinkers. It evaluates Turing’s scientifically grounded approach alongside Arf’s philosophical and public-facing discourse, revealing how the debate took on a uniquely Turkish dimension.

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Artificial Intelligence in Türkiye Today

According to a 2021 study by Coşkun and Gülleroğlu, while interest in artificial intelligence as an intellectual concept dates back to the 17th century, the first serious modern advancements occurred after World War II. Today, AI systems are rapidly expanding across all sectors—from education and healthcare to finance and everyday convenience devices. While countries such as China and the United States are reshaping their education systems to align with this transformation, Türkiye is not struggling to keep pace with this global trend.^【6】

Advances and Societal Impacts in Türkiye

Türkiye is taking significant steps in artificial intelligence through academic publications, public policies, and private sector initiatives. However, the societal impact of these advances is sometimes limited; gaps remain in public awareness, ethical discourse, and public adaptation. Increasing use of AI in education and public services may help strengthen these societal reflections.

Looking Ahead: What Might Happen?

• Education: Coding and AI literacy can be integrated into curricula.
• Healthcare: AI applications can be implemented within health policies for use in emergencies such as disasters.
• Public Communication: More informative content on ethical and practical aspects of AI can be produced.
• R&D: Collaboration between Turkish universities and technology centers focused on AI can be expanded.
• Society and Ethics: Public awareness and regulatory measures can be introduced regarding social dimensions such as bias, privacy, and labor impacts of AI.