Blab Tech
Turkey and South Africa Convene in Johannesburg to Strengthen AI-Driven Strategic Communication
On 12 September 2026, the Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, became the focal point of a high‑level panel discussion organized by Turkey’s Directorate of Communications. The event, part of the Stratcom Public Forum series, carried the title “Turkey–South Africa Strategic Communication Partnership: Building Capacity in Artificial Intelligence, Crisis Communication and Countering Disinformation” and brought together diplomats, communication specialists, academics and other stakeholders from both countries.
The programme opened with a video that framed disinformation as a border‑less threat demanding international cooperation. The presentation stressed the urgency of safeguarding information integrity and bolstering public trust in an increasingly digital landscape.
Burhanettin Duran, head of communications for the Turkish presidency, addressed the audience and observed that power is shifting. He argued that economic and military clout no longer dominate influence; the ability to shape narratives, communicate swiftly and credibly, engage global audiences, and maintain trust has become equally decisive. Duran warned that digital transformation offers unprecedented opportunities while also exposing new vulnerabilities, as algorithms dictate what societies see and manipulated content can shape perceptions before governments react. He highlighted a “crisis of truth” and a “crisis of communication” and urged nations to move beyond conventional approaches and forge stronger international collaboration. Since its launch in 2021, the Stratcom initiative has evolved into an international platform that brings together policymakers, communication professionals, academics and experts from more than 50 countries.
A central message of the Johannesburg gathering was that South Africa’s experience and perspective are essential to the global conversation. Speakers stressed the potential for the two countries to exchange expertise and develop practical mechanisms for cooperation, including joint training and crisis simulations.
Ambassador K Nilvana Darama Yıldırımgeç highlighted the opportunities and risks presented by AI‑generated content, deepfakes and synthetic media. She stressed the importance of preparedness, verification, digital literacy and stronger coordination between governments, media, academia, technology companies and civil society.
The discussion, moderated by Dr. Tunç Demirtaş, explored practical proposals such as joint training, crisis simulations, information‑sharing mechanisms, early‑warning systems and a repository of disinformation cases. Participants agreed that clear communication protocols during crises are essential to ensure that information is accurate, accessible, consistent and delivered quickly.
Turkish MP Professor Abdurrahman Babacan emphasized that speed and accuracy should not be viewed as competing priorities. He proposed stronger institutional coordination, regular updates to the public and clear identification of official sources during emergencies.
An academic from Wits University cautioned against allowing AI to replace human critical thinking. The speaker argued that education must teach people to use technology, learn through and with it, ensuring that digital tools enhance rather than diminish human reasoning, creativity and judgment.
The Johannesburg forum demonstrated that the future of strategic communication cannot be addressed by technology alone. It requires trust, human intelligence, institutional cooperation and international partnerships. As Turkey and South Africa explore deeper cooperation in AI, crisis communication and countering disinformation, the partnership has the potential to become a model for mutual learning and stronger information resilience.
The forum concluded with a commitment to further collaboration. No immediate policy changes, product launches or regulatory actions were announced. Participants agreed to establish joint working groups to operationalize early‑warning systems and integrate AI verification tools across borders. The key unresolved issue remains how to translate the proposed mechanisms into concrete, enforceable practices that can be applied in real‑world crises.
The programme opened with a video that framed disinformation as a border‑less threat demanding international cooperation. The presentation stressed the urgency of safeguarding information integrity and bolstering public trust in an increasingly digital landscape.
Burhanettin Duran, head of communications for the Turkish presidency, addressed the audience and observed that power is shifting. He argued that economic and military clout no longer dominate influence; the ability to shape narratives, communicate swiftly and credibly, engage global audiences, and maintain trust has become equally decisive. Duran warned that digital transformation offers unprecedented opportunities while also exposing new vulnerabilities, as algorithms dictate what societies see and manipulated content can shape perceptions before governments react. He highlighted a “crisis of truth” and a “crisis of communication” and urged nations to move beyond conventional approaches and forge stronger international collaboration. Since its launch in 2021, the Stratcom initiative has evolved into an international platform that brings together policymakers, communication professionals, academics and experts from more than 50 countries.
A central message of the Johannesburg gathering was that South Africa’s experience and perspective are essential to the global conversation. Speakers stressed the potential for the two countries to exchange expertise and develop practical mechanisms for cooperation, including joint training and crisis simulations.
Ambassador K Nilvana Darama Yıldırımgeç highlighted the opportunities and risks presented by AI‑generated content, deepfakes and synthetic media. She stressed the importance of preparedness, verification, digital literacy and stronger coordination between governments, media, academia, technology companies and civil society.
The discussion, moderated by Dr. Tunç Demirtaş, explored practical proposals such as joint training, crisis simulations, information‑sharing mechanisms, early‑warning systems and a repository of disinformation cases. Participants agreed that clear communication protocols during crises are essential to ensure that information is accurate, accessible, consistent and delivered quickly.
Turkish MP Professor Abdurrahman Babacan emphasized that speed and accuracy should not be viewed as competing priorities. He proposed stronger institutional coordination, regular updates to the public and clear identification of official sources during emergencies.
An academic from Wits University cautioned against allowing AI to replace human critical thinking. The speaker argued that education must teach people to use technology, learn through and with it, ensuring that digital tools enhance rather than diminish human reasoning, creativity and judgment.
The Johannesburg forum demonstrated that the future of strategic communication cannot be addressed by technology alone. It requires trust, human intelligence, institutional cooperation and international partnerships. As Turkey and South Africa explore deeper cooperation in AI, crisis communication and countering disinformation, the partnership has the potential to become a model for mutual learning and stronger information resilience.
The forum concluded with a commitment to further collaboration. No immediate policy changes, product launches or regulatory actions were announced. Participants agreed to establish joint working groups to operationalize early‑warning systems and integrate AI verification tools across borders. The key unresolved issue remains how to translate the proposed mechanisms into concrete, enforceable practices that can be applied in real‑world crises.
