Experts and young researchers make Alicante the epicenter of Artificial Intelligence in Europe
Cristina Gallach, serving as the government’s special commissioner for the Language Economy Alliance, will join the new edition of the +European Forum hosted by Casa Mediterráneo and INFORMATION on Tuesday, September 27. A substantial funding boost of 1,100 million euros from European Next Generation funds aims to boost the inclusion of Spanish and other official languages in AI-related applications. The day after the forum, there will be a coordinated session in Alicante where participants will review the project materials with natural language processing teams.
He previously held the post of Foreign Minister until recently. The question arises: how did the role of coordinating these European funds come to be his responsibility?
Gallach’s career centers on international communication and diplomacy, with prior leadership experience in coordinating development programs drawn from his tenure as Government High Commissioner to advance the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He credits the support of Vice President Nadia Calviño for entrusting him with this significant task, noting that the project is as technical as it is communicative in nature.
What are the primary aims of this initiative?
First, the plan seeks to elevate the use of Spanish, a language spoken by hundreds of millions yet underrepresented in AI development and deployment. The goal is to accelerate digitization and strengthen the presence of all official languages of the country in AI ecosystems. A parallel objective is economic: to empower telecommunications and information technology companies to drive the project forward.
How could this effort influence society?
There is an observable dominance of English in AI today, while the Spanish language infrastructure remains too underdeveloped for broad practical use. The project targets everyday AI tasks such as voice assistants for scheduling appointments or handling bureaucratic processes, ensuring robust Spanish language capabilities. It also tackles regional linguistic needs so that technology serves everyone.
What about the common official languages beyond Spanish?
The same logic applies to Galician, Catalan, and Valencian variants. A Galician speaker should be understood by the health system without delay, and the Catalan ecosystem is already strong; the objective is to refine machine understanding of regional nuances to cover Valencia more effectively.
Will the impact stay within national borders or cross them?
In Spain, the beneficiaries range from institutions and companies to universities, research centers, and society at large. Yet any progress is expected to yield benefits beyond national borders, notably in Latin America, through economies of scale and shared advances.
How is the concept of language economy defined?
The plan aims to activate a digitally driven economy where language technologies play a central role. The landscape already includes major tech firms, but a wide cohort of smaller companies—many staffed by linguists and computer scientists—develop tools such as automatic translators, search engines, personal assistants, and document summarizers that push scientific knowledge forward. An estimated 80% of AI-related firms focus on language technologies and related computational methods, and the initiative seeks to nurture their growth to meet diverse objectives.
How will European funds be allocated?
Resources are distributed across ministries including Education, Culture, Economy, Digital Transformation, Universities, Science, and Foreign Relations. The aim is to align these efforts under a shared vision and ensure consistency in all developments.
Experts and young researchers make Alicante the epicenter of Artificial Intelligence in Europe
Why was Alicante chosen as the starting point for disseminating the project?
Alicante carries considerable influence in this field and is positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping how Spanish-language AI advances are imagined. The city hosts a strong research ecosystem that includes the local university and the Ellis Center, plus a multitude of dynamic initiatives. The objective is to extend the benefits of the scheme across all of Spain and eventually to the common official languages as well. Its strategic location on the Mediterranean coast and its multilingual environment make it an ideal hub. The meeting attracted more than 70 registered companies, signaling broad enthusiasm from the outset.
Is Alicante a candidate for hosting the national headquarters of the Artificial Intelligence Agency?
The region’s advanced capabilities make it a compelling fit for hosting the agency, a development that would streamline decision-making for stakeholders. The prospect is openly welcomed as a high-quality nomination, seen as a positive step for regional innovation.
The profile of Cristina Gallach is widely recognized in European circles. A journalist by training, he has held influential posts across the European Union, the United Nations, and NATO. His leadership roles include his service as Government High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda and, later, as Foreign Minister. The current assignment as Government’s Special Commissioner for the Language Economy Alliance reflects a career-long focus on diplomacy, policy, and strategic collaboration.
With this international experience, Gallach voices concern about the current global climate marked by the war in Ukraine, noting persistent uncertainty and a widening gap in multilateral relations. Yet the message remains one of cautious optimism for Spain. The country is pursuing a clear transformation path supported by unprecedented EU resources, and the emphasis is on delivering concrete outcomes that bolster public trust and societal advancement.