Rewritten Article for AI‑Driven Growth in Aragon and the Educational Sector

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Alberto Granados, born in Madrid in 1965, led Microsoft Spain for two years and later announced a billion‑dollar investment to establish a data storage campus in Aragon. This development is meant to become a cornerstone for advanced generative artificial intelligence, positioned to challenge established norms and transform how people interact with technology. The article invites readers to learn about a new policy in Ejea de los Caballeros banning mobile phones for IES Reyes Católicos students, marking the school as a pioneering non-mobile training site within Aragon.

What are you thinking?

Technology needs a thoughtful rollout that improves education and benefits students. It should be used responsibly, with clear regulation and a humane, inclusive, and empathetic approach. When applied well, tools like Minecraft can help children with Down syndrome or autism simulate everyday activities such as catching a bus or buying bread.

Is it out of control?

People once debated calculators in classrooms with the same vigor that professors faced resistance in decades past. Historical examples, such as the invention of the printing press and the varied regional responses to it, show that progress follows a path shaped by values and priorities. It is already clear which regions lead in development.

If there is reluctance to use mobile phones in an institute, how can there not be reluctance to use artificial intelligence?

A study called the Microsoft Work Trend Index surveyed 30,000 companies to understand how people use technology. It revealed a digital debt and a tendency to overuse communication tools at the expense of creativity. About 57% of respondents spend time on email, Teams, or video calls. AI promises to rebalance this by handling time‑consuming information, allowing humans to focus on creation. The concept of a co‑pilot suggests that AI won’t replace people; instead, it adapts to context and proposes the next question to ask.

“Artificial intelligence will challenge humans, and that’s a very good thing.”

Alberto Granados – President of Microsoft Spain

What will it be used for?

The aim is to free up time for real creation. A doctor can devote more attention to patients, and a student can nurture critical thinking. It will resemble a teacher examining students with access to books, demanding hard work, practical sense, and sound judgment. Caution is essential in what is asked of AI, as it can provide answers that require human discernment, and society must ensure brains are prepared to receive this infusion of creativity.

Is it ready?

The priority is to protect people. History shows that new technologies often spawn skepticism, but often they spur creative breakthroughs. When photography emerged, critics warned it would end art, yet impressionism, abstract art, and cubism flourished in a remarkably creative era.

“Small and medium‑sized enterprises are the biggest unfinished business. Progress will help unite large firms with SMEs, ensuring no one is left behind.”

Alberto Granados – President of Microsoft Spain

Do you sense fear around job displacement?

The sentiment is nuanced. In a recent survey, 43% of workers expressed some reservations about productive AI, while 70% anticipated delegating tasks, including creative ones. The co‑pilot approach has shown impressive gains in productivity and sales. In Spain, 41% of firms with more than 250 employees already use such tools.

Aragon and the broader Spanish business landscape rely heavily on SMEs. Can AI cross this threshold?

SMEs pose the main challenge. The upside appears when the industrial fabric moves beyond large firms to embrace SMEs as well. The goal is to democratize productive AI by making it simple and intuitive, so Teams can become a conduit for AI summaries, or to suggest the next question after a call. Microsoft participates in IndesIA, an association advancing data use in Spanish industry, with hundreds of partners in Aragon.

What about OpenAI and the recent political shifts around ChatGPT?

A strong partnership exists. The relationship with OpenAI and its leadership remains positive and ongoing, with collaboration spanning cloud services and joint innovations. The shared priority is responsible AI, with data protection at the forefront and human‑centred ethical guidelines available to governments and self‑imposed regulatory standards.

Some people worry that the pace could threaten humanity. Can you comment?

Regulation is essential, applied with clear examples. Technologies can replicate voices for content, but authorization is required for each project to prevent misuse. For ALS patients who may lose their voice, AI can preserve it. The potential impact of generative AI on global GDP is substantial, underscoring the need for careful stewardship.

Microsoft recently announced a major Aragon investment. Why this region?

Aragon offers excellent land, energy, and water resources, plus a robust industrial base. The region hosts capable, eager companies, strong universities, and a productive public‑private collaboration. This partnership is seen as a strong commitment by the regional government to attract multinational investment.

How significant is this data campus for Microsoft’s global footprint?

It stands among the largest in Europe. A data region there will comprise multiple data centers, reflecting a broad and growing ecosystem. The plan emphasizes local employment and partnerships across Spain, with estimates of tens of thousands of new jobs across the country and thousands within Aragon specifically.

Are the projected numbers realistic?

These figures come from approved studies in other regions and countries. They reflect a real need for talent as digitalization accelerates. To bridge gaps, Microsoft collaborates with the Ministry of Vocational Education and National Education to align training with market demand, creating a virtuous loop that supports employment and growth across the territory.

“Artificial intelligence will be like taking an exam with books. It rewards those who apply common sense.”

Could Google’s new Cyber Security center in Malaga influence Microsoft’s strategy in Aragon?

It is early to say, but there is clear demand for digitalization across industrial and financial processes, including AI. The region can become a hub not only for data storage and compute but also for integrated solutions across Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Azure, Power Platform, and their security components. Target sectors include logistics, automotive, finance, and precision agriculture.

Would skilled employment be a priority in this plan?

Indeed. Aragon could develop a center of talent serving Southern Europe, enabling many companies to access qualified professionals in information technology and artificial intelligence. If European projects pick up from there, the opportunity could be transformative. The focus is on big thinking and practical execution for the region.

In just two years, Zaragoza has become a data hub. How will the relationship with Amazon Web Services evolve after its regional launch?

The development is encouraging. Seeing major players invest locally signals confidence. The region now sits between two global technology leaders, sharing the same objective: to invest, develop, and grow the regional ecosystem further. This collaboration is a positive sign for sustained progress.

Do data centers consume too much energy and water? Can this be controlled?

Environmental stewardship is a top priority. The goals include emissions neutrality by 2025, carbon negativity by 2030, and restoring historical CO2 levels by 2050. Improvements focus on amplifying efficiency, consolidating workloads on fewer servers, and adopting sustainable cooling. These efforts aim to minimize resource use while delivering needed services.

Is it sustainable to keep producing data at today’s pace?

Shifting data workloads into the cloud has proven efficiency improvements. Large hyperscalers typically achieve higher efficiency than private facilities, a reality that supports broader sustainable goals while enabling scalable computing, AI, and digital transformation across sectors.

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