In Barcelona, momentum around digital progress has shifted from a simple push for digital transformation to a practical embrace of artificial intelligence. The fourth edition of Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW) opened with a clear message: improving current processes matters more than chasing slogans about upgrades alone. The focus is on deploying productive artificial intelligence to streamline operations, with new technologies expected to roll out rapidly in the coming months.
Three leaders from technology and industry framed this outlook during a high-level discussion hosted by the Barcelona Free Zone Consortium and presented as a joint initiative with CZFB. Participants included executives from Verne Technology, Simon Electric, and IoT DetectionHE, alongside Pedro Mier, president of Ametic, and Father Navarro, the state’s special representative. The dialogue examined how traditional sectors can connect, transform, and often align in a landscape shaped by mobility, sustainability, and real estate alongside health and other major themes.
Adding depth to the conversation, Blanca Sorigue, the CEO of a prominent tech network, described a forward path built on collaboration and measurable milestones. She stressed that BNEW serves not only as a gathering but as an incubator for industrial projects that advance the region’s strategic autonomy. The event highlighted the value of cross-industry synergy to strengthen competitiveness and resilience within Europe’s broader supply chains.
As the day progressed, the discussion expanded to social and economic goals tied to employment, fair wages, and quality of life. Speakers emphasized how efficiency gains and new technologies can empower productivity improvements. Ametic’s leadership reiterated the central role of data as a core asset guiding investment decisions and accelerating deployment. The panel also underscored the essential role of 5G and cloud-enabled AI in delivering actionable insights across sectors.
Industry leaders acknowledged that many firms recognize the need to adopt AI, even as questions linger about investment scale, anticipated returns, and the reliability of proofs of concept. The dialogue brought together voices from CIDAI, Leitate, the Leitat works consortium, and the Computer Vision Center to discuss practical pathways for deploying AI in daily operations. The consensus stressed moving beyond generic service platforms toward AI solutions tailored to the realities of individual businesses, with a focus on building internal skills and capabilities to sustain adoption.
Role of mobility
One discussion that initially appeared tangential proved to be a powerful example of AI and digital tools in action. The mobility roundtable connected leaders from Renfe, TMB, Bus, Indra, and BSM to explore how cities can transform transportation through intermodal systems. The goal is seamless journeys by linking diverse mobility options along a single route, making the end-to-end experience straightforward for users.
Indra’s global head of rail and transit summarized the vision: integration is essential. Following a concise note from Renfe’s chief executive, the conversation underscored the need for alliances across operators to move beyond door-to-door services toward connected networks. The group agreed that the entire organizational ecosystem must evolve toward mobility as a service, where shared value enables citizens to access broader, more reliable transportation with less friction. The consensus also framed technology as a facilitator, helping governments and private partners align on sustainability goals while improving urban mobility for residents.