The Hold My Hand Rehabilitation, Education and Aid Association once again organized an important event titled “So That the Pearls May Smile.” Volunteers of the association came together at a breakfast gathering and the talk session “An Hour with Nevzat Tarhan.” In his speech on “Family in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Prof. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that artificial intelligence is a tool that carries both opportunities and risks. Stressing that AI will serve whatever purpose it is designed for, Tarhan underlined the importance of including a warning: “This is an intelligent digital entity, but it is not conscious.”
The event was held at Üsküdar University’s NP Health Campus social area and the Ibn Sina Auditorium. Participants included President of Üsküdar University and President of the Hold My Hand Rehabilitation, Education and Aid Association Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Vice Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, Rector’s Advisor and Vice President of the Association Prof. İsmail Barış, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Association Secretary General Ayşe Banu Güngenci, Vice President of Health Activities Asst. Prof. Fatma Turan, as well as members of Üsküdar University’s academic and administrative staff, association members, and benefactors.
They gathered for breakfast
Volunteers of the association came together for a pleasant breakfast event, continuing to bring hope to children through their ongoing support. After the breakfast, participants moved to the Ibn Sina Auditorium.
Musical performance captured attention
As part of the program, Violin Artist Dr. Mithat Arısoy from the Presidential Classical Turkish Music Choir, Istanbul University Instructor Demet Tuncay, Kanun Artist Hande Elmacı, and Percussion Artist Mirat Can Erdem gave a musical performance that captivated the audience, who also joined in with enthusiasm.
Prof. İsmail Barış: “Our association works tirelessly on the basis of volunteerism”
Üsküdar University Rector’s Advisor and Vice President of the Association, Prof. İsmail Barış, delivered the welcoming speech. He said: “During my time as the Director General of the Social Services and Child Protection Agency, I met Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and his colleagues when we transitioned to the ‘children’s home’ model. Through the Happy Home Association, we helped move children from dormitory-style institutions into apartment settings integrated with society. Later, I joined Üsküdar University and once again encountered a similar initiative, the Hold My Hand Association led by Prof. Tarhan, which extends a helping hand to orphans and those in need. Having such an initiative under a university roof is truly exemplary. Our association works tirelessly on the basis of volunteerism, adding value to society through its unsung heroes. To comfort the sorrow of someone in need and to share in their pain has a reward, if not in this world, certainly in the hereafter. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone contributing to this cause.”
Ayşe Banu Güngenci: “We believe every child has value”
Secretary General of the Association Ayşe Banu Güngenci gave a presentation detailing the association’s mission and activities since its foundation. She said: “In 2010, we started with a group of volunteers under the belief that ‘If we can hold one child’s hand, we can change a life.’ As the Hold My Hand Association, we work to protect children and young people aged 0–18, strengthen their psychological resilience, and reintegrate them into society. Our greatest goal is to help children who have faced neglect, abuse, or violence rebuild their sense of safety and trust in life. We believe that every child has value. We strive to raise hopeful, productive, and self-confident individuals. By building a solidarity-based social structure, we guide both children and their families. Our vision is to secure Türkiye’s future with young people who carry not the burden but the strength of what they have lived through. In short, as the Hold My Hand Association, we are working with all our might to build a society where every child can walk toward the future safely, hopefully, and with dignity.”
Following the opening speeches, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, President of Üsküdar University and President of the Haydi Tut Elimi Rehabilitation, Education and Assistance Association, held a talk titled “The Family in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” moderated by journalist Şaban Özdemir.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Touching broken hearts means touching divine consent”
Following the opening speeches, President of Üsküdar University and President of the Association, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, joined journalist Şaban Özdemir for a talk on “Family in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” Psychiatrist Prof. Tarhan began by emphasizing that children are the ones most affected by trauma: “We are living in an age of trauma. In such a period, children are unfortunately the most affected. While disadvantaged children face the test of overcoming these difficulties, the rest of society faces the test of whether to help them or not. Therefore, this issue is not only the responsibility of the state but of all of us. It must be carried out through volunteerism and dedication. Being here today is no coincidence; it is providence. Helping these children is, in truth, helping ourselves. To touch the heart of someone who is broken is to touch divine consent. In the past, family was the strongest refuge, but even that institution is facing a serious crisis. There are three fundamental norms that protect society: laws, social norms, and the family. Unfortunately, laws and norms have weakened under global influences. The family can no longer provide the same protective power. Every child now has a smartphone in hand. In this situation, the family is losing its role as the last refuge. We see the consequences clearly in the rising rates of juvenile delinquency, violence, and social breakdowns.”
Artificial Intelligence: Both a serious threat and a great opportunity
Prof. Tarhan emphasized that artificial intelligence serves the purpose it is designed for: “Strengthening the family is more important than anything else. At this point, artificial intelligence stands before us as both a serious threat and a great opportunity. However, we must not put AI in the position of the accused. Just like any form of technology, it can be beneficial or harmful depending on intent. It serves the purpose for which it is used. Just as the printing press revolutionized human history, AI has triggered a similar transformation process. Therefore, instead of standing against this change, we must learn to harness its wind. It is not the wind that makes the kite fly, but the correct position taken against it. If we position ourselves correctly against AI, it will strengthen us; if we do not, we will be swept away. This is why it is crucial for all of us to develop digital skills and equip ourselves with digital literacy.”
“This is an intelligent digital entity but not a conscious one…”
Emphasizing that artificial intelligence is intelligent but not conscious, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said: “The moment you hand over control to artificial intelligence, it starts treating you like a child. In fact, there should be a visible warning on it that says, ‘This is an intelligent digital entity but not a conscious one.’ Because some people, especially those whose mental health is fragile or adolescents who have not yet reached emotional maturity, may believe that AI is a conscious being. In the scientific literature, there are about 15 to 20 documented cases of psychological hallucinations and mental health problems triggered by artificial intelligence. At the same time, AI provides great convenience in accessing information. In the past, one had to sift through thousands of books to research a topic, but now it can bring the entire body of literature before you with a single question. This is a serious advantage. However, as with all technologies, there are risks. For people who have clear goals and know what they are looking for, AI is a powerful tool. But for those who lack direction, struggle with indecision, or are psychologically vulnerable, it can pose a serious danger. Therefore, it seems we will begin hearing the term ‘AI victims’ more frequently in the future.”
“Empathy is one of the most distinctive traits that separate humans from other living beings”
Pointing out that artificial intelligence lacks the ability to empathize, Prof. Tarhan said: “People with well-developed emotional intelligence have empathy. If programmers ever manage to build empathy into AI, that would be the point where we need to be truly cautious. Because if they can mathematically model emotions in the brain and load that model into a computer, it could then begin to read our minds to predict what we are thinking. This is exactly what we call the theory of mind. There are tests for this. We use them particularly in diagnosing autism to assess whether a person has the capacity for empathy. We evaluate this through stories and measure it with multi-step tests. This is an entirely human-specific ability. No other living creature can produce a theory of mind. There is also the concept of theory of theory, which means that after developing one theory, you can form another theory about that theory. You assume what the other person is thinking, what you are thinking, and you communicate based on those assumptions. This is one of the most fundamental characteristics that distinguish humans from other beings. It currently seems impossible for computers to imitate this. In this sense, digitalization reaches its limit. It can replicate things that can be digitized, but not the human-specific aspects that cannot be digitalized. Therefore, we should not fear artificial intelligence itself. What we should really be careful about is its impact on children. Children must not lose themselves in AI or the digital world. For example, Sweden and Norway have already passed laws on this matter. Children under the age of three are strictly prohibited from using smartphones, and from ages three to ten, they are only allowed one hour of use per day. In our country, however, this issue is still under discussion.”
“The state must allocate time and budget to such projects”
Highlighting the need for an active family mediation system, Prof. Tarhan said: “This year has been declared the Year of the Family. But of course, a family cannot be built in a single year. You cannot protect the family merely through PR campaigns or promotional activities. Families can only be strengthened through projects and initiatives that truly touch people’s lives. In one program called ‘Family Refresh,’ families, that is, parents and children, spend a weekend together in a hotel, receiving training that strengthens communication within the family. Families go through this training before major problems arise. This is how we can truly protect the family structure. The state needs to dedicate time and budget to such programs. With seminars and workshops led by experts, many issues can be resolved through dialogue. There is a serious need for such practices. Families attending these weekend programs in hotels or similar settings can resolve their issues before they reach the courts. Once a matter goes to lawyers, police stations, or courts, it becomes very hard to turn back, and it is heartbreaking. I have been advocating for years that a family mediation system must be established. Commercial mediation exists and has achieved a 70 percent success rate. Rental mediation exists and is effective. So why has family mediation not yet been implemented? I bring this up at every opportunity.”
“A person interacting with ai must have high awareness”
Prof. Tarhan also warned that artificial intelligence can manipulate people through excessive praise: “If a narcissistic person starts interacting with AI, asking questions that feed their ego, the AI will begin to flatter them. When they say things like, ‘I did this in the past, I achieved that,’ AI responds with, ‘Yes, you are very successful, and you’ve accomplished so much,’ thus feeding their need for exaggerated praise. This way, a person may unconsciously form an emotional attachment to AI. This is actually a manipulation tactic often used in psychological warfare , and they elevate someone through constant praise and then control them through the fear of losing that validation. Media sometimes works in the same way: first it praises, then controls through the fear of losing that praise. A similar pattern occurs with power and wealth. People are enriched, and then enslaved by what they own. AI does this using information. It can influence people by flattering them. Therefore, anyone interacting with artificial intelligence must maintain high self-awareness. AI can either serve the advancement of human wisdom or contribute to an increase in the number of psychologically fragile individuals. It will not affect everyone equally, but it can particularly influence those with vulnerable personality structures.”
The event concluded with a group photo session.
