The Valencian regional government has been outspoken about its approach to artificial intelligence, arguing that central authorities should collaborate with autonomous communities that already pursue their own AI strategies. In Valencia, this commitment has deep roots in a plan initiated by the governing coalition in 2022 and is currently being updated by the coalition formed by the People’s Party and Vox. As leadership changes, the focus remains on keeping pace with rapid developments in technology, ensuring the region does not lag in innovation, digital services, and AI adoption. The government explains where its priorities lie as public policy shifts under the leadership of the regional president and the secretary of innovation.
The Valencian AI strategy centers on two main bets: first, digitizing public administration and the productive fabric of the community; second, closing the digital divide to prevent any group from being left behind. The aim is for a Valencian digital identity that keeps institutions at the forefront of AI implementation, the Internet of Things, big data, and blockchain. This philosophy is echoed in the regional budget, which allocates a total of 5.7 million euros across two principal lines of investment.
The larger grant, named Territoris innovadors, reaches five million euros. It provides competitive lines for municipalities to adopt AI tools. The second line, with 700,000 euros, targets small and micro enterprises. The government describes a future where these funds will be split further into two streams: ideas that spark innovation and a robust rollout of proven programs from other municipalities to maximize impact. Rather than reinventing strategies, the plan focuses on applying practices that have already shown results, according to the innovation secretary.
One clear area of emphasis is the use of virtual assistants by municipalities to streamline bureaucratic tasks for residents. This work is led by the innovation department but it cuts across most government offices. The roadmap highlights public‑private collaboration and aims for administrative simplification, a banner promoted by the regional president since his candidacy announcement.
Attention to the productive sector is equally important, with the goal of boosting competitiveness, attracting talent from abroad, and retaining local talent. Officials say they show businesses the path to digitalization and the integration of AI into processes. Maturation surveys are being conducted to tailor assistance to each company’s readiness, ensuring resources match the actual needs rather than wasting funds on unprepared firms.
Collaborations stand out as a key feature of Valencia’s AI strategy. The region has formal agreements with all five public universities and engages with the Ellis Foundation to address ethics and bias in AI algorithms. Calls for regional funding have been revised to become more inclusive, with a commitment that no innovator is left without support for a viable project.
The plan also relies on European funds to advance several initiatives. An example is a program linked to smart cities that uses the Internet of Things to improve residents’ lives. This involves digital twins of cities and real time data collection to simulate scenarios such as traffic congestion or accidents to aid decision making for security, sanitation, and other services.
Among the most notable elements is the strategy to attract data centers from major tech companies to the Valencian region, following models seen in neighboring communities that have welcomed big players. Officials describe the territory as particularly suited for such facilities thanks to its coastal location, favorable energy generation capacity, and abundant sunshine for solar power. The announcement suggests that results will be announced soon and positions the ports as strategic hubs for AI deployment.
The ongoing projects extend beyond these efforts, including initiatives to develop personalized cancer treatments and to address illegal accommodations in tourism. The government emphasizes that these are part of a broader AI agenda that seeks to improve public health and tourism governance through intelligent systems and data-driven planning.
These efforts reflect a clear strategy: use AI to modernize government services, strengthen the local economy, and ensure equitable access to digital opportunities across Valencian society. The work is built on the premise that technology should serve people, with safeguards and partnerships that keep ethical standards at the center of innovation. The result is a comprehensive program designed to position Valencia as a forward‑looking region where technology accelerates public value and everyday life improves for residents and visitors alike.