The Spanish delegation representing the Alliance of Progressive Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament is organizing a major conference focused on Artificial Intelligence Policy in the EU as a cornerstone for modernizing the Valencian economy. This important event is scheduled to begin at ten in the morning and will convene in the meeting room of the San Fernando building at the University of Alicante. It brings together a group of prominent experts and thought leaders in new technologies, signaling a strong commitment to exploring how AI can drive regional development, innovation, and competitiveness. The setting will serve as a platform for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to examine the implications of AI policy for the Valencian community and beyond, with a view toward practical outcomes and informed decision-making that can be mirrored across Spain and North America.
The conference aims to bridge academic insights and real-world applications, highlighting the role of rigorous policy frameworks in guiding responsible AI adoption, investment in digital infrastructure, and the creation of high-skilled jobs in the Valencian economy. It underscores the need for clear governance, ethical standards, data stewardship, and national and European coordination to maximize benefits while mitigating risks associated with rapid technological change, and it positions the event as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue between the EU and regional innovation ecosystems.
The opening session will be led by Nuria Oliver, the director of the Ellis Foundation and a respected figure in AI research and education. Her leadership will frame a discussion on challenges and opportunities from a European perspective, with moderation by Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero, a European parliamentarian known for her work on policy integration and digital strategy. The lineup includes Andrés Pedreño, a recognized figure in European innovation circles with a focus on how the US and China influence European AI development, and Jaume I Award recipient who is a member of the World Economic Forum. Javier García Martínez, president of the Rafael del Pino Foundation, will contribute expertise on the governance of technological advancement, while Kilian Gross, head of the European Commission’s CNECT directorate unit for digitization technologies and systems, will provide insights into regulatory alignment and digital policy horizons. The aims of this opening segment are to illuminate the strategic balance between investment, regulation, and competitive positioning as Europe contends with global AI leadership.
The second agenda block, titled AI as an opportunity for companies to digitize, will be moderated by the national MP Patricia Blanquer. The discussion will feature Juan C. Trujillo, the executive director of Lucentia LAB, as well as Belén Alemán, the director of 1MilionBotl Artificial Intelligence, and Manuel Desantes, a former vice president of the European Patent Office who also serves as a professor of Private International Law at the University of Alicante. Desantes brings a cross-cutting perspective on how AI and intellectual property interact within the broader European legal framework, while the presence of a former member of the European Commission’s legal service adds depth to the discourse on regulatory impact and cross-border collaboration. This block is designed to explore practical pathways for Valencian and national enterprises to harness AI for productivity gains, digital transformation, and sustainable growth, supported by policy guidance and effective implementation strategies.
The conference will close with remarks from Josefina Bueno, the Minister of Innovation for the Generalitat Valenciana. Her closing remarks will reinforce the government’s commitment to fostering a robust, innovation-driven economy supported by clear AI policies, investment in digital skills, and a collaborative ecosystem that includes academia, industry, and public institutions. The concluding segment aims to synthesize the insights gained, reiterate the importance of responsible AI deployment, and outline actionable steps for regional stakeholders to advance the Valencian economy in alignment with broader European strategic objectives.