With the strong footprint of AI on current business and entrepreneurial dynamics, RCQ reached out to Roksan Hayırel Kaspi RC 02, the consulting director of the Türkiye Yapay Zeka İnsiyatifi (Türkiye Artificial Intelligence Initiative) for her take on the future.
Which changes are truly transformative, and which are merely hype in AI?
For decades, software was something people used to perform tasks. Now we’re entering a world where intelligent systems can actually participate in those tasks alongside us as teammates. The hype comes when people assume that using AI tools will automatically transform their business. Technology alone doesn’t create transformation. The biggest challenges are almost never technical. They are about leadership, culture, processes, governance, and people’s willingness to change. The companies that understand this are the ones creating real value from AI.
What emerging technology excites you most today, and why?
Without question, agentic AI. These systems can reason, plan, use tools, interact with other systems, and execute tasks with increasing autonomy. For the first time, we’re seeing software begin to resemble a digital colleague rather than just a tool. The combination of agentic AI, robotics, and real-time enterprise data will fundamentally change how organizations operate over the next decade. The conversation is gradually shifting to “How do we collaborate with intelligent systems?” That’s a profound change that will impact everything from business models to organization structures.
If you were starting your career today, what skills would you focus on developing first?
I would focus on the soft skills, on becoming excellent at the things that are uniquely human, like communication, critical thinking, creativity, leadership, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work with people. These will become even more valuable as AI becomes more capable. At the same time, I would make sure to become AI fluent. Not necessarily by becoming a data scientist or an AI engineer, but by understanding how these systems work, where they add value, where they fail, and how to use them effectively.
But most importantly, I would still develop expertise in a specific domain that really interests me. Whether that’s healthcare, finance, education, communications, or manufacturing, it does not matter. Deep knowledge is still critical. AI is an amplifier. The people who will create the most value are those who combine domain expertise with AI capabilities.
What distinguishes organizations that successfully adopt AI from those that struggle?
The successful ones start with a business problem, not with a technology.The organizations that struggle are often fascinated by the latest tools and models. The organizations that succeed are focused on outcomes. They ask how AI can improve customer experiences, make employees more productive, reduce costs, or create entirely new business opportunities.
Another common characteristic is leadership. The best AI transformations are driven from the top. They have clear sponsorship, and ownership, and a willingness to rethink how work is done. Technology is important, but leadership is usually the deciding factor.
