We were lucky to catch up with Merve Ayyuce Kizrak recently and have shared our conversation below.
Merve Ayyuce, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
Looking back, I realize that timing was crucial in establishing HUX AI. The idea of starting my own business had been in my mind for many years — sometimes more visible, sometimes overshadowed by other priorities, but never completely erased. It was a seed that was constantly growing in the background, waiting for the right time to sprout. This understanding of the importance of timing in entrepreneurship is a valuable insight that I gained from my journey.
For me, the key to starting a business was not just having the right idea, but also the preparation and experience to bring that idea to life. Over the years, I accumulated in-depth academic knowledge and real-world experience by working in the private and public sectors at different scales and cultures. This journey was not always easy, and many around me questioned its value. But I knew that every step was bringing me closer to my goal. This perseverance and dedication to learning were the foundation of my readiness to start HUX AI.
About a year ago, the voice inside me became clear: “You are ready.” Of course, this was not something that developed suddenly; neither a specific event, person, or institution had any effect on this state of readiness. Instead, it was a period when I realized the transformation in myself. I saw that my approach to projects, people, and institutions had changed and that I could now draw a bigger picture.
When I look back today, I see the past years not as a “delay”; on the contrary, I see them as a period of valuable accumulation that prepared a solid foundation for this work and brought me to this day. This “solid foundation” includes the skills and knowledge I gained from the academy, the discipline and structure I learned from the corporate world, and the strategic perspectives I developed in the public sector. All of these experiences have been ingrained in the DNA and nature of HUX AI.
If I had started earlier, perhaps I would not have been able to create such a mature structure. If I had started later, maybe the “energy of this spark”, the initial enthusiasm and drive, would have diminished. That is why I do not say “I wish I had started earlier”. Everything happened exactly when it was supposed to. Who knows what else will happen? I have always felt the resilience of being ready for innovations and changes. Turning destructive changes into positive ones that result in development often relates to our perspective and stance towards life.
Today, I am on a day when a dream that came to my heart and mind during my university years, HUX AI, has come true. I am ready to transfer all my experience to this AI initiative and the projects, ideas, and people accompanying it. I set out to contribute to the transformation of the future by accumulating the past—with determination, passion, and a lot of work.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My journey began in 2009, stepping into the academic world as an Electronics and Communications Engineer. Since then, I’ve earned a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in the same field, and even pursued a second master’s degree in Economics and Business. But my story doesn’t end there. Over the past 15 years, my passion for AI has propelled me beyond the confines of academia, leading me on a diverse path from the private sector to the public sector and international collaborations. This journey has been a testament to my personal growth, as I’ve honed my skills in technology development, ethical assessments, and creating solutions that can truly transform lives. The social impact of these issues has become my driving force, and it’s this transformation that I find most inspiring.
My founding of HUX AI has developed as a natural result of this accumulation and vision. HUX AI has just started as a technology company that produces functional, measurable and sustainable solutions in AI governance, ethics and safety. We work with institutions to guide them in designing, implementing, and auditing their AI systems ethically, transparently, and securely. Our products include AI Governance Frameworks, data governance standards, the AI risk and compliance tool “HUX Compass”, and the AI Certification System “HUX Certify”. In addition, with HUX Academy, we offer tailor-made services such as expertise development, reskilling, upskilling and awareness-raising services where sectors can increase their capacity in line with their fields of work.
One of the driving forces behind my work is the belief that AI is not just a technical tool but a force at the heart of social transformation as a culture shifter. I’ve been an active participant in numerous strategic studies, from Türkiye’s National AI Strategy to the development of the “Public Sector Data Space” project, which we carried out by leveraging the EU’s Data Space concept. These initiatives, along with international collaborations on platforms such as OECD, G20, NATO, and the United Nations, underscore the collaborative nature of our work. As a contributor to the “Ready, Set, AI” report, independently conducted by G42 and Economic Impact and published at the 2025 Davos Summit, I’m proud to be part of a team shaping AI readiness for emerging markets.
However, education and awareness have always been a priority for me. So far, my online AI training has reached more than 70,000 students. I have tried to democratize access to information with my open-source lecture notes, codes, and blog content. I have contributed to developing human resources and establishing productive startups with the mentorships and jury memberships I have supported voluntarily.
Therefore, HUX AI is special because it was founded from a socio-technical perspective. We do not only produce technology. We also build trust and establish the necessary infrastructure for institutions and societies to walk safely into the future. At the centre of the systems we establish are algorithms and values, a unique perspective that sets us apart in the AI industry.
In essence, HUX AI is not just a job for me or our team; it’s the realization of a vision that has become a mission. What I’m most proud of in this journey is the tangible impact we’ve had on individuals, institutions, and societies. As I said before, our work is not just about producing technology but about building trust and establishing the necessary infrastructure for institutions and societies to confidently navigate the future. At the heart of the systems we establish are algorithms and values that shape and guide our society.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Working in the public sector—particularly in high-level roles involving digital transformation, data and AI-driven strategy and policy development, and creating best practice frameworks—requires technical expertise, strong mental resilience, and strategic adaptability. One of the defining moments in my journey when these qualities truly came to the forefront was during the development of Türkiye’s National AI Strategy. Engaging directly with senior government officials meant navigating highly layered and, at times, unpredictable decision-making processes. Staying proactive despite such uncertainty was critical. On the one hand, I had to understand the strategic vision of policymakers; on the other, I had to align this vision with the practical realities of the field. At the time, this was a completely new experience for me—and an incredibly formative one. Looking back now, I realize that my emotional and cognitive resilience enabled me to succeed. I often had to find direction in uncharted, ambiguous territories, take initiative, and continuously adapt to evolving circumstances. In doing so, I also unconsciously developed a refined communication skillset that helped me gain the trust and buy-in of individuals, institutions, and decision-makers I worked with.
This was especially true during the “Public Sector Data Space” project. As the first of its kind in Türkiye, this initiative represented a technical transformation and a culture shift. Convincing stakeholders, harmonizing innovation with regulatory frameworks, and managing the process transparently was no easy task. But this journey taught me something invaluable: Resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship; it’s about finding clarity in uncertainty, leading change, and most importantly, building trust for those around you. This emphasis on trust is what reassures stakeholders and instils confidence in the process.
Ultimately, I didn’t just deliver successful projects—I discovered a deeper level of inner strength. This journey, which often pushed me to the edges of my comfort zone, laid the groundwork for the determination I carry today as the founder of HUX AI. It’s through these challenges that I grew personally and professionally, and I believe this is a journey many of us can relate to. Resilience doesn’t only reveal itself in times of crisis—it shines just as powerfully when you make bold, visionary decisions.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Throughout my career, I have built my reputation with my technical knowledge and by taking responsibility, sharing and making consistent contributions. This was not a goal for me but a natural process. While studying for my classes during my student years, establishing social enterprises, teaching in the academy, consulting in the private sector, developing strategies in the public sector and supporting young people with volunteer mentoring, I have always acted with the same principle: “Share what you know, disseminate what you have learned, do not look down on anyone, but always aim higher.” These actions have shaped my career and inspired others around me.
Academic depth, private sector experience, and the roles I have taken in strategic projects in the public sector have, of course, created trust in the technical side. However, what makes me different is my passion for sharing this knowledge with others. Although this passion was sometimes criticized, I never became demoralized and even realized that this motivated me contrary. I published open source codes, provided online training that reached thousands of people, wrote blog posts, spoke at community events and became visible not only with my professional identity but also as someone who took initiative. Over time, people started to say, “This person both tells and does.” Because I consciously cared not to be just one of those who do or tell. This was the strongest way for me to build trust in the community.
In addition, representing Türkiye on platforms such as the OECD and the United Nations, contributing to the field of “ethical and responsible AI”, and participating in international collaborations further reinforced this reputation. The international collaborations and events that I mentioned at the beginning of the interview and participated in with my initiatives are an important clue that shows my organizational independence. Still, I have always tried to act with a global vision by drawing strength from local influence. This global perspective has allowed me to make a significant impact in AI.
HUX AI was founded on exactly this foundation. This company is not just a technology company; it is a corporate counterpart to the ethical, transparent, and human-centred AI approach I have advocated for years. The basis of people’s trust in HUX AI lies in this respectable stance and sincere communication that we have built up to this day. This HUX AI, which is not only what I have put forward but also what I have announced to everyone in my team who trusts me, actually comes from my team’s trust in me and the reputation and trust we have created in the sector over the years. We do not just build frameworks; we establish structures that will enable institutions and societies to look to the future confidently and ensure their sustainability. The trust of my team is the cornerstone of our success.
Therefore, HUX AI is not the continuation of a career but the embodiment of the values formed throughout this career. Everything I say is about what we do rather than what we will do. And I think this is the most important thing that makes a reputation strong: being remembered for what you do, not what you say.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ayyucekizrak.com/en/about/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merve-ayyuce-kizrak/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ayyucekizrak
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ayyucekizrak
- Other: https://huxai.tech/
Image Credits
Genuinely thanks to Melis Atış for designing the HUX AI logo and branding.