What kind of work is Zorlu Holding conducting in the field of artificial intelligence?

Fulya Bıçak Muştu, IT Director at Zorlu Energy Group, discussed the artificial intelligence initiatives being undertaken by Zorlu Holding. Muştu stated the following:

I have been working as the Deputy General Manager of Technology and Digital Business Development at Zorlu Energy Group, a subsidiary of Zorlu Holding, for over five years. Before managing this matter within a centralized structure, we had assessed our awareness and maturity levels across our respective sectors and gathered our requirements. However, following a management change in early 2025 and the establishment of a new “Technology and Digital Business Development” unit, we decided to approach this topic on a group-wide scale. We launched the “YaZ” program in early February. We chose the name “YaZ” because it incorporates the initials for artificial intelligence (*Yapay Zeka*), evokes a positive feeling, and serves as a catchy, easy-to-use slogan. We structured the program around five key pillars: company-wide awareness, training, the collection and evaluation of project proposals, infrastructure development, and a rewards system. We did not approach these steps as a linear sequence—since life moves fast and the technologies we discuss today are constantly being superseded by superior ones—but rather launched them simultaneously (with the exception of the rewards component, which naturally follows project completion). In other words, while providing “AI-101” training to all our employees to boost their maturity, we simultaneously created a dedicated portal where they could submit their project proposals as their understanding grew. We classify these as project proposals rather than mere ideas because a simple idea doesn’t always evolve into an actual AI project; however, since we approached this as a comprehensive AI and cultural transformation initiative, we structured the process to allow for the tracking of costs and returns. To scale these efforts internally, we established distinct roles: “AI Champions” and an “AI Task Force.” I led the AI ​​Task Force alongside my existing responsibilities. Eventually, we received over 400 proposals. We then moved to the stages of refining, prioritizing, and budgeting these proposals to get them off the ground. Currently, we have 150 active projects. Some have already been implemented, and we plan to launch more by the end of the year and into 2026. This is not a one-off event; it is an ongoing process. Our portal remains open, allowing any user to submit an AI project proposal on any topic, which we then manage through a structured workflow. We are already seeing returns and have gained significant insights along the way. Consequently, as the Zorlu Group team, we are ready to share all the experiences we have gathered—both to date and moving forward—regarding our AI program.

Technology and Digital Transformation at Zorlu Energy Group

Zorlu Energy Group continues to reinforce its leadership in the sector by taking significant steps in technology and digital business development. Following a management change in early 2025, a centralized structure was established to oversee technology and digital business development. This new structure aims to foster awareness across the holding and accelerate digital transformation. Launched in February, the “YaZ” program conducts activities across five key areas to support artificial intelligence and digital transformation projects.

Launch and Objective of the YaZ Program

The name “YaZ” was chosen because it incorporates the initial letters of “Yapay Zeka” (Artificial Intelligence) and serves as a catchy, slogan-friendly term. The program aims to raise awareness about artificial intelligence and digital transformation among all Zorlu Energy Group employees and to encourage them to develop projects in this field. Activities within the program are carried out across five main pillars: raising awareness, providing training, collecting project proposals, evaluating projects, and establishing the necessary infrastructure.

Awareness and Training Initiatives

The YaZ program seeks to build awareness regarding artificial intelligence and digital transformation among the entire workforce. To this end, “Artificial Intelligence 101” training sessions are organized to enhance employees’ knowledge. Alongside the training, a portal was created to allow employees to submit project proposals. This portal enables staff to transform their ideas into concrete project proposals.

Project Proposals and the Evaluation Process

More than 400 project proposals have been collected from employees under the YaZ program. These proposals were evaluated for transformation into artificial intelligence and digital transformation projects. The processes of prioritizing, budgeting, and launching these projects are being meticulously managed. Currently, 150 projects are actively underway, with plans to launch additional projects by the end of the year.

AI Champions and Task Force

To enhance the program’s success, specific roles—such as AI champions and an AI task force—were established. These roles ensure effective project management and foster active employee participation in the processes. The Deputy General Manager leading the AI ​​task force oversees project coordination.

Continuous Improvement and Learning

The YaZ program operates with a focus on continuous improvement and learning. The portal enables employees to submit new project proposals on an ongoing basis. This process is managed systematically to track the resulting returns. The program’s success is regarded as a significant step in Zorlu Energy Group’s digital transformation journey.

Sharing Experiences and Future Plans

Zorlu Energy Group is prepared to share the insights gained through the YaZ program and collaborate with other industry stakeholders. The program’s success is viewed as a key milestone in the Group’s digital transformation journey. Future plans include launching more projects and providing ongoing support for digital transformation.