The Ibérica Press Futures circuit on technological innovation concluded its tour with a stop in Madrid this Thursday. The event drew participation from the First Vice-President of the Government and the Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño.
Organized by El Periódico de España and sponsored by Telefónica, Procter & Gamble and Ayming, Prensa Ibérica gathered a broad panel of experts to explore Spain’s present and future challenges in technological innovation.
The conference opened with a welcome from Javier Moll, President of the Iberian Press, who emphasized the group’s commitment to Products of the Future. He stressed that digital transformation stands as one of the defining features of the era, describing it as a revolution that reshapes how people relate, obtain information, produce, learn, and live.
Similarly, Gemma Robles, director of El Periódico de España, highlighted the opportunity to promote the technological advances necessary for societal prosperity.
In her remarks, Vice President Nadia Calviño reviewed the current reforms and investments under the recovery plan, underscoring that these measures propel innovation. She noted that competitive processes already fund roughly 29,000 projects valued at over 10,000 million euros, spanning companies, research centers, and universities.
Calviño used the forum to announce a pilot project with the Spanish seal to be presented in Brussels next Monday. The aim is a first controlled sandbox for an artificial intelligence rulebook. She described testing this pilot with Spanish companies, including small and medium enterprises and startups, as a significant opportunity and a clear example of Spain’s leadership in AI development.
The discussions also celebrated the digitization program for SMEs known as the digital kit and the eight exclusive initiatives launched under the Digital Agenda, covering connectivity, 5G, and cybersecurity. These efforts, part of the Recovery Plan, have seen an investment of 20,000 million euros.
innovation experts
The event featured leading voices on Spain’s technological innovation landscape. Francisco Marín, a director of futures initiatives and national award recipient for Innovation in 2020, remarked on progress while acknowledging remaining work. He noted that Spain remains the 13th largest economy globally but ranks 30th in the global innovation index, signaling the need for continued effort.
The potential of European funds for Spain’s innovation ecosystem was a central theme. In the opening roundtable on active innovation and development policies, Pedro Mier, president of Ametic, urged faster delivery of European funds to companies. He stated that only a fraction of the funds currently reaches the private sector and emphasized that transformation is driven by companies, with science being global and innovation local, thereby generating regional wealth.
Antón Costas, president of the Economic and Social Council, appeared more optimistic. He asserted that the funds are being used more effectively than anticipated and encouraged confidence in Spanish firms, arguing that the nation has all the elements needed to meet the challenge.
José Manuel Pingarrón, secretary general of universities, commented on opportunities for mobility and exchange among young professionals and researchers worldwide.
Ana Castro, vice president of Knowledge Transfer at CSIC, noted that Spain is on the right track and its structures are ready. Yet she warned that the path ahead is demanding and that turnaround times may not match society’s expectations.
Teresa Risk, secretary general of Innovation, appeared remotely after plans to attend in person were disrupted. She asserted that stronger, larger companies are possible only when innovation remains central to their strategy.
Companies at the core of the innovation challenge
A second discussion table on “Companies facing the technological innovation challenge” brought together experts from diverse firms to share perspectives. The gathering underscored Spain’s ongoing modernization and recognized that the experience and network of companies, SMEs, and startups are essential to progress in innovation.
David del Val, global director of Strategic Innovation at Telefónica, explained that investing in innovation is both a strategic decision and a business driver. He described it as supporting long-term change and a means to share development strategies with others, while calling for public institutions to provide not only funding but also training programs.
Javier Riaño, Procter & Gamble Spain’s vice president of marketing, discussed how consumer needs drive innovation in practice. He cited the example of detergents designed to operate efficiently at lower temperatures, reducing electricity usage and costs for households.
Carlos Artal, CEO of Ayming Spain, argued for a policy that commits at least 2% of GDP to innovation. He noted that corporate effort matters and urged the development of a robust local ecosystem. He also pointed out that some firms struggle to access European digitalization resources and called for easier pathways to support competitiveness and growth.
He also highlighted the importance of comprehensive digitalization with government backing, paired with a strong focus on cyber security. Azucena Hernández, founder and CEO of Eurocybcar, who holds a key credential in automotive cyber security, emphasized protecting the sector by training personnel and safeguarding digital infrastructure against cyber threats, especially within the automotive industry.