Tarhan: "Whoever is the subject of artificial intelligence wins"

Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University, attended an online seminar titled 'Youth in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,' organized by Diyarbakır Dicle University's Ziya Gökalp Faculty of Education. Tarhan drew attention to how family, teacher, and child communication should be in the digital generation. Stating that artificial intelligence will be beneficial when used for the right purposes, Tarhan emphasized the importance of being the subject, not the object, of artificial intelligence. He said that establishing emotional ties instead of interest-based ties with children is important, thus also enabling the establishment of trust.

Prof. Dr. Şengül Kocaman, Dean of Ziya Gökalp Faculty of Education, along with vice-deans, faculty members, and students, attended the online seminar. 

"Artificial intelligence is a serious field of discovery"

Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that artificial intelligence is providing a serious transformation, began his speech by saying: "Artificial intelligence was actually dormant until 2018. Its history goes back 40-50 years, but it wasn't very active until then. In 2018, a significant breakthrough was made in Davos regarding this. Before that, in the 2000s, the Blue Brain Project had started in Switzerland. That was also a very important step. It was a project based on brain, computer, and genetic algorithms. So, studies related to neural networks had started there. We were also closely following it at that time. Because our subject was brain and behavior, it highly coincided with our thematic area. In fact, in 2013, as Üsküdar University, we organized a Science and Idea Festival with the theme 'Artificial Intelligence.' We had also established a laboratory related to brain-computer interface back then. Therefore, developments in this field did not surprise us. Artificial intelligence is currently providing a transformation similar to the change created by the printing press or electricity in human history. This is a revolution. Artificial intelligence is a serious field of discovery. Therefore, opposing artificial intelligence, resisting digitalization, is like trying to stand against a flood-like current. Smart people, in such a situation, instead of resisting the flood, hold onto a log and find their direction. Instead of complaining, they reach their goal by holding onto that log." 

"Our emotions and thoughts have entered the range of artificial intelligence"

Tarhan, stating that artificial intelligence is a vast system, used the expressions: "There are codes in our DNA. Our nervous system in the brain also works according to these codes. What actually governs us are these codes. DNA determines our behavioral boundaries, our personality, how much we eat, drink, and our physiology. This DNA is present even in the smallest cell. In fact, there is more than 50 percent similarity between algae and human DNA. We are talking about such an incredible structure. DNA is a perfect system in itself. It is impossible for it to have formed by chance. There is a grand design in the background. Artificial intelligence revealed the reality of this design. Because if you can understand and calculate a designed system, you can imitate it and bring it to life. Now even our emotions and thoughts have entered the range of artificial intelligence." 

"If they become the object of artificial intelligence, they lose; if they become the subject, they win"

Tarhan, stating that artificial intelligence will be beneficial when used for the right purposes, spoke as follows: "Like all technologies, artificial intelligence itself is inherently neutral. Just like a knife. If you use it to cut bread, it's useful, but if you use it with malicious intent, you cause harm. Artificial intelligence is also a tool like this. What's important is how we use it. If a person is smart, has a goal in life, an ideal like transcending themselves, they will use it for the right purpose. That is, if they are someone who works not just for their own gain but for greater purposes, artificial intelligence is a very strong support for them, making life easier, speeding up tasks, and increasing the quality of life. Globally, it also has the potential to raise the level of welfare. Generation X grew up with radio, Generation Y with television, Generation Z is the social media generation, and Generation Alpha opened its eyes to a world that includes social media and artificial intelligence. So, artificial intelligence has already become a part of our lives. Therefore, young people should see artificial intelligence not as a threat but as an opportunity. If they become the object of artificial intelligence, they lose; if they become the subject, they win. Artificial intelligence should not manage them; they should manage artificial intelligence. This is the magic sentence. If a young person achieves this, they will make a difference." 

"We must now leave behind the era of questioning artificial intelligence"

Tarhan, underlining that young people should feel safe, said: "We have amazing young people. Many of our youth tend to go abroad. However, very important work is currently being done with these young people in strategic areas such as the defense industry. If we can keep these young people within the system, if we can effectively train them in artificial intelligence and digital platforms, we will achieve very significant gains. In fact, good steps are being taken in this direction. We are doing well, but it is now imperative that we shift into a higher gear. For this, young people need to feel safe and achieve a sense of satisfaction regarding their future. Because only in such an environment can they fully realize their potential. We must now leave behind the era of questioning artificial intelligence. We must use artificial intelligence in line with our personal and national goals." 

"If the family disintegrates, danger begins there"

Tarhan, talking about the roles of parents in the digital generation, used the expressions: "There were norms in society that protected young people. The first were legal norms. They used to prevent evil from seeping in, but they no longer work. Because the world has become an electronic village. Everything is global. The open door of the house is now the smartphone. A child can connect with the outside world even in their room, in bed. Therefore, the era of protection by laws is over. The second were social norms, but they can no longer protect young people either. Only the family remains. Society is an ecosystem, and at the center of this ecosystem, just like the hub in a car wheel, is the family. If that center is not strong, the system begins to fall apart. If the family disintegrates, danger begins there. If the family is a safe harbor and the child is peaceful at home, the solution is actually very simple. The most important task here falls to the parents. They must truly care for their children in this digital age. Because the child is now a digital generation. They will spend time together, travel together. The greatest gift a parent can give a child is time. Collecting memories with them. If this is done, the child will also be protected from the dangers of artificial intelligence." 

"We should establish emotional ties, not interest-based ties, with children"

Tarhan, explaining how communication with children should be, spoke as follows: "Capitalism first makes people sick and then tries to cure them. First, it made them narcissistic, and now it tries to heal this narcissism. Because the system is focused on consumption and pleasure. It is built on the cycle of earn, consume. By placing the individual at the center of competition, it glorified narcissism. The biggest losses of this system were families, children, and young people. Since 2011-2012, there has been a significant increase in narcissism rates, especially among young people. Crime rates have risen, incidents of violence and suicides have increased. Even cases of self-poisoning have multiplied. This picture shows that we have reached a point where serious measures must be taken. Children generally lack consequence awareness. That is, they cannot immediately see the natural consequences of their actions. The young people of Generation Z, who are in adolescence, are self-centered and conformist but endearing. Because these young people still have an innocence, high expectations, and a strong sense of justice within them. If we take into account the innocence and expectation of justice of these young people, we can build a bridge with them. After that, it is necessary to build a relationship of trust. Establishing a bond of trust between mother and child, and between educator and young person, is very important. For trust to form, the child's fears must first be alleviated. We can overcome these fears with love, compassion, and tenderness. We should establish emotional ties, not interest-based ties, with children. A smile, a few kind words, making them feel valued, spending time with them is the greatest gift to a child." 

"When love and honesty combine, trust is formed"

Tarhan, stating that adolescents learn life by making mistakes, said: "Unless they make a big mistake, there's no need to fear. Because storms are inevitable during this period. We need to give adolescents the opportunity to enter and exit those storms. We immediately engage the reflex to suppress and control the child. Our traditional method is pressure. Eastern culture is generally defined as a culture of fear, but what is experienced in these lands is actually a culture of pressure. A child who grows up under pressure learns to lie to defend themselves at an early age. This leaves permanent marks on their personality development. Subsequently, this lying behavior can become ingrained, and when the individual becomes an adult, they may turn into a dishonest, unreliable character. In some children, this pressure leads to the formation of a rebellious character. They take on an opposite role, constantly opposing. That's why we should communicate not with pressure, but by persuading, endearing, and convincing. Otherwise, we lose young people. A child can recover quickly as long as the home is a safe space. When love and honesty combine, trust is formed. If there is love but no honesty, it is not safe. The sense of justice within the family is also very important. If a child feels justice along with love, that becomes a solid home for them. A child growing up in such an environment forms healthier bonds with life."

"Despite the speed of the age, we need to learn to be patient"  

Tarhan, underlining that humans should have a purpose, used the expressions: "What truly motivates a person is meaning. A person with a high sense of meaning activates themselves. Because if there is meaning in something, there is also a purpose. If there is a purpose, a need arises. When a need is formed, desire awakens. Through desire, people take action. If there is no meaning, nothing starts. Not even a need arises. Just like you cannot force a horse that is not thirsty to drink water. You cannot make it drink by hitting its head. But when it's thirsty, it seeks water itself. It's the same with young people. It's not enough to just give them information. They need to feel a need for truth, for beautiful things. When they feel that need, they will naturally gravitate towards them. Our task here is to awaken this need. This requires time and patience. It is not an easy task; it requires patience. We are now living in an age of speed. We must accept this. Everyone wants everything to be quick, but raising people and creating meaning are not quick tasks. They require time and effort. Despite the speed of this age, we need to learn to be patient."

"Artificial intelligence is a tool that facilitates the decision-making process"

Tarhan, emphasizing the life-facilitating effect of artificial intelligence, concluded his remarks by saying: "An important aspect of using technology in the most beneficial way is to determine how one can use digitalization and artificial intelligence in their own professional field. Both personally and institutionally, it is necessary to think about this and invest time. Time, social, and financial investments are important because these investments are not wasted. Such investments enable us to do our work more efficiently and faster. For example, the use of digitalization and artificial intelligence in clinical practice is very beneficial in the preparatory stages. Artificial intelligence also plays an important role in consulting services. A person can consult artificial intelligence algorithms to make sound decisions. These algorithms scan specific data and present you with the most suitable decisions. In other words, artificial intelligence is a tool that facilitates the decision-making process. This ease that artificial intelligence brings to our lives simplifies everyone's work and makes it more efficient. As technologies develop, we will all start using these tools more. Therefore, for someone who wants to develop themselves, artificial intelligence offers tremendous opportunities."