Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, the Rector of Atatürk University, stated, "The transition to smart economies also defines a new mission for universities."

 The Palandöken Economic Forum, which was conducted in Palandöken on April 26-27, 2025, and was hosted by Erzurum, garnered significant international attention. The forum, which was conducted under the primary theme of "A Fair Future in a Smart World: Smart Economies and Global Inequality," attracted more than 1000 business professionals, academics, civil society representatives, and government officials from more than 30 countries.

 The organisation was attended by more than 100 correspondents from the national and international press, who observed a total of 40 lecturers in seven sessions, three of which were special. The forum addressed the most pressing concerns of the era, including climate change, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, investment opportunities, and smart economies.

 Rector Hacımüftüoğlu's Forum Evaluation

 Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, the Rector of Atatürk University, stated that the Palandöken Economic Forum is a significant improvement in Erzurum's international visibility and academic-world interaction.

 "The forum's vision is also a source of new responsibilities for us as Atatürk University, as it is centred on sustainability, innovation, and digitalisation." The transition to smart economies is not only transforming the business world, but it is also reshaping the education, research, and social contribution missions of universities. In this context, we, as a university, have concentrated on enhancing digital competencies, supporting artificial intelligence-based projects, and preparing our students for the future. Prof. Dr. Hacımüftüoğlu emphasised that the synergy generated by the Palandöken Economic Forum is as significant as its content, and stated that the collaborations established here have established a fertile ground for economic, cultural, and academic partnerships.

 Prof. Dr. Adil Mardinoğlu: "The Healthcare Sector Will Be Revolutionised by Artificial Intelligence"

 At the Palandöken Economic Forum's "Accelerating The Future: Industry and Services Transformed by Artificial Intelligence" session, Prof. Dr. Adil MARDİNOĞLU delivered a significant presentation on the intersection of health and artificial intelligence. He made remarkable assessments of the health sector of the future.

 Mardinoğlu, the former President of the Turkish Health Institutes, King's College London Academician, and recipient of the 100th Year TÜBİTAK Special Award, underscored in his speech titled "Artificial Intelligence in the Future of Healthcare Sector" that artificial intelligence technologies will result in significant transformations in a diverse array of health sector areas, including drug development, personalised health services, and diagnosis.

 MARDİNOĞLU asserted that the opportunities provided by artificial intelligence, including big data analysis and machine learning, are essential for the early diagnosis of diseases and the development of individual-specific treatment methods. He stated, "In order to establish a more equitable, accessible, and effective healthcare system, we must capitalise on these opportunities."

 In the session moderated by Andrea Sanke, which also featured notable lecturers such as Destan Bezmen, Andreas Schleicher, and Tariq Qureishy, Mardinoğlu's predictions regarding the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on healthcare services garnered significant attention.

 Qureishy's Revolutionary Presentation: "The Future Has Arrived, But It Is Not Equally Distributed"

 The session "Accelerating the Future: Industries and Services Transformed by Artificial Intelligence" was one of the most popular on the second day of the forum. Tariq Qureishy, the Founding CEO of Xponential Group from the United Arab Emirates, attended the session.
 Tariq Qureishy, an internationally recognised visionary speaker, delivered an impressive presentation on the second day of the Palandöken Economic Forum. In his speech at the special session "Accelerating the Future: Industries and Services Transformed by Artificial Intelligence," Qureishy, the Founder and CEO of Xponential Group, provided insightful assessments of ethical values, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence. The presentation was initiated by Qureishy, who stated, "A significant portion of the future has already occurred; it is merely not evenly distributed." He also underscored that the digitalisation process could generate new inequalities among societies, underscoring the necessity of a mental and social as well as technological transformation in order to navigate the future.

"Are We Prepared for a World That Is Ten Times Faster?"

 The moderator's response to the inquiry "Are we prepared for a world that is 10 times faster?" that "Most of us are not prepared for this because our brains are accustomed to linear thinking" reverberated throughout the hall. Qureishy, who enquired among the participants whether they had developed their own "superpowers," perceived the fact that only one individual raised their hand as a "sincere but striking fact." Qureishy stated that the business world is currently transitioning from a technology-driven world to one that is driven by artificial intelligence. He also noted that this transition will alter not only production but also the way in which individuals think.

 "Artificial Intelligence Has the Potential to Become a Weapon of Mass Destruction"

 Qureishy asserted that "trust" is the most critical factor in determining the future, stating, "If we fail to trust each other, data, and information, artificial intelligence could become a weapon of mass destruction." As much as technology, love, empathy, and humanity should serve as the foundation of this future.

 "The Future is Built on Trust"

 Qureishy emphasised the importance of establishing social trust in order to ensure the success of an AI-based transformation, drawing attention to ethical values at the conclusion of his presentation. Qureishy underscored the necessity of combining technological advancements with compassion, empathy, and humanity in order to establish a habitable world, asserting that "trust will be the most critical factor in determining our future."

 Rector Hacımüftüoğlu's Qureishy Comment: "It is now imperative to adapt to the future and guide it."

 Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, the Rector of Atatürk University, assessed Tariq Qureishy's presentation on the second day of the Palandöken Economic Forum. The presentation left a lasting impression on the audience and underscored the significance of the speech for the academic community and institutions.

 Rector Hacımüftüoğlu stated that Qureishy's presentation not only provided a vision of the future, but also generated a valuable awareness of how to prepare for it. He also emphasised that the determination to replace linear thinking habits with exponential thinking is a crucial warning for higher education institutions.

 "As universities, we should not only be institutions that generate knowledge; we should also be institutions that transform and transform with this knowledge," stated Hacımüftüoğlu. He continued his speech by stating that Qureishy's presentation once again demonstrated that technological advancements have not only technical but also ethical, social, and mental implications. Universities should assume a leadership role in this complex and multifaceted transformation. We should equip our students with the necessary skills to address not only their immediate requirements but also the unexpected challenges that may arise in the future.

 Additionally, Rector Hacımüftüoğlu emphasised the significance of Qureishy's assertion that "trust should serve as the foundation of the future" and observed that "a sustainable social structure cannot be established in the absence of trust, regardless of the extent of technological advancements." This is why our university agenda should now prioritise concepts such as transparency in education, information security, and digital ethics.

 Hacımüftüoğlu also indicated that he had observed that numerous students and academicians were motivated by Qureishy's statements following the presentation: "It is our responsibility to both adapt to and shape the future." He concluded, "As Atatürk University, we are cognisant of this obligation and will persist in our efforts to align with this vision."

 27.04.2025 - Corporate Communications Directorate