The Generalitat is positioning the Valencian Community for a pivotal role in hosting the national AI leadership hub. The headquarters of Spain’s AI Supervision Agency are under consideration, with Alicante highlighted as a focal point for the province and region. The Minister of Innovation, Universities, Science and Digital Society, Josephine Good, opened her working sessions this Thursday with a mix of political and technical leaders who will assess the region’s strengths in this strategic sector. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s push to decentralize state institutions has found support among the regional government led by Ximo Puig, which has emerged as a leading advocate for distributing authority beyond Madrid. From this point, the province and the wider community are recognized to possess the right mix of talent and infrastructure, enabling a clear path to launching a compelling candidacy.
The first national organization based outside Madrid has 5 million euros in funding this year. Its mission is to oversee the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, mitigate risks, and foster a robust research and business ecosystem. To accelerate progress, Bueno began outlining the plan yesterday with Carmen Beviá, regional secretary for Universities and Research; Juan Ignacio Torregrosa, executive director of Advance for the Digital Society; José Manuel Duarte, managing director of Information Technology and Communications; and Antonio Rodes, general manager of SPTCV. In a short time, participation terms will be announced publicly. A six‑month window will then open to select the city that will host the headquarters. Alicante stands out as the principal frontrunner, though no official declaration has been made. [Citation: Generalitat Valenciana]
Barcala proposes a common front for AI Agency to land in Alicante
In this initial working session, a coordinated group formed under the General Directorate of Developments for the Digital Society will report directly to the minister. Attending will be the regional secretary for Universities and Research, the general manager of SPTCV, and the general manager of Information and Communication Technologies. Early actions include meetings with all institutions and organizations active in Valencian AI. A decisive report will outline the region’s unique strengths and how they fit into a national AI strategy. The minister emphasized a robust, inclusive candidacy supported by every AI stakeholder in the community. [Citation: Generalitat Valenciana]
Bueno noted that the Valencian Community already hosts a strong business and research AI ecosystem, and is ready to nurture talent exploring varied AI applications across knowledge domains. [Citation: Generalitat Valenciana]
State-of-the-art education fabric
The Valencian Community has a cutting-edge educational landscape in AI, with five state universities featuring interconnected science parks and offering postgraduate AI programs such as a Master in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Degrees like the Master of Advanced and Applied Artificial Intelligence at UMH or UV bolster the region’s expertise. The Generalitat is investing two million euros in ValgrAI, a flagship initiative intended to attract and cultivate AI talent. The program plans to offer 126 scholarships for AI master’s studies and to advance postgraduate education across the field. [Citation: Generalitat Valenciana]
This thriving international research ecosystem is backed by the Generalitat Valenciana, which prioritizes future talent and regional resources. The GENT talent program has secured dozens of top researchers from across disciplines and ongoing recruitment for research groups, supported by national and international grants including ERC, Marie Skłodowska-Courié, and Juan de la Cierva. [Citation: Generalitat Valenciana]
Puig kicks off the race to bring AI Agency
The region’s business framework includes a network of 11 Technological Institutes leading in research, innovation, and transfer to the real economy. A central technology hub, Digital Zone, based in Alicante, has attracted hundreds of companies and thousands of professionals, expanding to new settings and fostering innovative projects aligned with the digital economy and cross-sector challenges. ELLIS Foundation Alicante brings together a world-class team dedicated to ethical AI research, focusing on the relationship between people and intelligent systems. [Citation: Generalitat Valenciana]
The Ministry of Innovation has highlighted the Valencian Community as a pioneer in AI policy, noting the 2019 unveiling of the AI Strategy for the Valencian Community. The strategy aims to guide the public administration toward inclusive, society-wide AI adoption, and it remains central to the Botànic Government’s approach. The framework rests on three pillars: building an innovative, inclusive productive ecosystem; preparing this ecosystem for socioeconomic changes; and integrating artificial intelligence across public services. [Citation: Generalitat Valenciana]
Together, these efforts illustrate a region committed to advancing AI responsibly while fostering economic growth, education, and research excellence that resonates with audiences in Canada and the United States seeking regional innovation benchmarks and cross-border collaboration opportunities. [Citation: Generalitat Valenciana]