Key topics shaping digital transformation, such as the future of the internet, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G technologies, and cybersecurity, were extensively discussed at the IEEE SmartNets 2025 Conference, held from July 22 to 24, 2025, and hosted by Istinye University.
Academics, researchers, and technology industry leaders from some of the world’s leading universities gathered in Istanbul to exchange ideas on innovative strategies that will shape the future of the digital ecosystem.
A Global Scientific Contribution from Istinye University
By bringing together academia and industry, Istinye University hosted this event to shed light on the future of digitalization. Conference sessions addressed multi-dimensional topics such as the future of the internet, AI applications, secure communication infrastructures, smart cities, and energy management.
The Boundaries Between Cyber and Physical Worlds Are Disappearing
Berk Canberk, a faculty member at Edinburgh Napier University (UK), emphasized that the internet technologies of the future will completely eliminate the boundaries between cyberspace and the physical world.
“In the evolution of the internet, not only the speed and accuracy of data matter, but also the secure communication between objects and humans. SmartNets 2025 provided a unique platform to understand and shape the digital infrastructures of the future. This event became a meeting point that strengthens bridges between global research and practice,” he said.
5G Brings a New Dimension to Control and Connectivity
Vehbi Çağrı Güngör, CTO of Turkcell Türkiye, highlighted the revolutionary impact of 5G technology on sectoral transformation:
“With 5G technology, we can now control heavy machinery remotely in real time. In the next year or two, we expect fully remote-controlled car technologies to become part of our lives. At Turkcell, we play an active role in developing pioneering technologies in this field. SmartNets 2025 provided a highly valuable opportunity to discuss these developments and strengthen industry collaborations,” he stated.
Reliability Is the Key in Smart Transportation Systems
Soufiene Djahel, from the Future Transport and Cities Center at Coventry University (UK), shared his insights on the future of smart cities and transportation infrastructure:
“Reliable, fast, and uninterrupted data flow is critical for smart transportation systems and urban planning. SmartNets 2025 encouraged the development of innovative strategies to make future transportation solutions safer and more sustainable by bringing together academic research and industrial applications,” he said.
Secure Infrastructures Are the Foundation of Digitalization
Mehmet Özdem, a representative from Türk Telekom Türkiye, underlined the importance of secure communication infrastructures in digitalization processes:
“Next-generation technologies like 5G and IoT cannot achieve sustainable development unless supported by strong security infrastructures. SmartNets 2025 created significant value by bringing experts from both academia and industry together to develop solution-oriented approaches in this area,” he remarked.
AI at the Core of Transformation
Cihan Varol, a faculty member at Sam Houston State University (USA), highlighted the critical role of AI in digital transformation:
“Artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things are at the heart of future technological advancements. SmartNets 2025 offered a unique environment for us to discuss the latest developments in these areas from a global perspective. This conference pioneered the intersection of theoretical research and practical applications,” he said.
Istanbul Hosts the Digital Agenda of the Future
Throughout the three-day event, topics shaping future technologies—such as AI, generative AI in education, smart healthcare systems, Industry 4.0, cybersecurity for critical infrastructures, and energy management—were discussed in depth. The conference fostered academic and industrial collaboration, contributing to the development of innovative solutions on a global scale.
