'Türkiye Teknoloji ve İnsan Endeksi' Research Conducted

The Women in Technology Association, with academic contributions from IPSOS and Bahçeşehir University, conducted a comprehensive study on the relationship between "humans and technology" in Turkey. The 'Turkey Technology and Human Index' research examined the knowledge, attitudes and ownership levels of students, families and adults towards technology and technological developments. The study aimed to determine the place of technology in daily life and business processes in Turkey, measure individuals' propensity towards technology, identify their motivations and barriers in technology use, and establish actions to be taken in this field. Within this framework, the aim was to understand the approaches and attitudes of secondary and university students, families and educated workforce in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields towards technology, so that actions taken would be goal-oriented. The research also yielded data measuring gender differences in technology perception and enabling increased female representation in this field. Zehra Öney, Founder Chair of the Women in Technology Association (Wtech), stated that they focus on the scarcity of qualified human resources in the technology field and unequal opportunities for women, noting that they work with the aim of identifying Turkey's technology perception, addressing the root of the problem and contributing to diversity.

Turkey's Technology Perception Measured

Öney, providing information on the purpose and focus points of the research, stated: "The main objective of the research was to determine the current state of technology and science fields in Turkey, to establish the level of technology ownership and use, to identify differences between genders and to obtain data that would enable increased female representation, and we did obtain this data in the research. We proceeded with the aim of identifying Turkey's technology perception, addressing the root of the problem and contributing to diversity. In this phase of the Technology and Human Index research, which is a first in Turkey, we wanted to understand Turkey's technology perception. Our research aims to identify the gaps and needs in this field and subsequently determine which areas we should focus on for development. By turning our focus to people, we separately indexed the relationship of individuals above a certain age group with technology, the gender breakdown of individuals working in technology, whether STEM graduates continue to work in technology and, if so, their satisfaction. With the resulting report, we aimed to serve as an index for our country's general approach to technology and even science, the number of people working in this field and studies to be conducted to increase female representation." Öney said.

Identifying Social Realities and Development Points Through Scientific Methods

Öney continued: "In the near future, qualified young people will be increasingly needed in continuously transforming fields such as software technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation and cybersecurity. Every step we take in training equipped specialists in the technology field opens the door to social and economic prosperity. Identifying social realities and development points through scientific methods makes it easier for us to focus on the source of problems. Here we are talking about research that will help institutions access qualified and competent human resources and benefit from them in business processes, while also contributing to equal opportunity and social development. Furthermore, I believe that the Turkey Technology and Human Index will also guide institutions in our country as they develop human resources strategies." Öney added. According to the research, 9 out of every 10 people stated that the place of technology in their lives increased compared to before the pandemic. While 57% of participants said the importance of technology during the pandemic "increased significantly," those who said "it increased partially" represented 31%.