Presented by the president of the government the initiative “HispanIA 2040”

Government President Pedro Sánchez closed the event “HispanIA: how artificial intelligence will improve our future”, held at the Ramón Areces Foundation, Madrid. During his speech, he stressed the need for Europe and Spain to adopt a clear vision of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in society, defending democracy against the risks of misuse of technologies by major technological corporations.

The event was used to present the study 'HispanIA 2040'. This study is the result of a prospective study conducted by a group of 12 experts under the leadership Oficina Nacional de Prospectiva y Estrategia del Gobierno, with the aim of understanding how AI can increase our future well-being and what decisions we should make to make it that way.

HispanIA 2040: challenges and lines of action

The ‘Hispania 2040’ study analyzes the opportunities and challenges of AI deployment by addressing five major long-term challenges in which AI can play a relevant role in Spain. These five challenges are:

• Modernizing the productive fabric
• Strengthening the welfare state
• Achieving environmental sustainability
• Strengthening security and defence systems
• Reducing inequality

For each of these challenges, the study provides an overview of the main potential applications of AI for which there is empirical evidence, as well as indicators to quantify the starting point of Spain and the possible future impact.

Faced with the five challenges, the study proposes twelve priority lines of action, some of them already addressed in the Estrategia de Inteligencia Artificial 2024:

1.  Increase financial support and incentives for SMEs to incorporate and develop AI into their businesses. To this end, the study suggests strengthening  the Digital Kit for the acquisition of technological  equipment and  Kit Consulting programs, as well as following examples of  programs such  as the Integration of AI in Value Chains, the Territorial  Networks of Technological Specialization Program (RETCH), the Next  Tech Fund or the Public Procurement of Innovation  
2.  Improve training and attractiveness of talent in new technologies. In this area, the  study proposes to expand and improve the STEM offer and intensify the attraction of technological talent by scaling up programs such as “SpAIn Talent Hub” or the broader ATRA.STEM.
3. Develop continuing AI training programs for active workers.
4. To  promote the creation of a public-private network of AI research centers,  which provides us with the capacity to develop our own foundational models.
5.  To promote the interoperability of data and AI models between companies.  The study proposes to follow the example of the Gaia X Hub in the field of data, starting from the seed planted by the incipient Network of Excellence in AI.
6. To promote within the United Nations the signing of a new binding international agreement that guarantees  human control over autonomous weapons systems and that nuclear weapons are beyond the reach of AI. Thus, the non-binding political declaration on the responsible military use of AI signed in 2023 by Spain among more than 50 countries would be reinforced.
7. To promote the development of verification and audit tools for AI models from the Spanish Artificial Intelligence Monitoring Agency (AESIA).
8.  To design and implement a comprehensive surveillance, detection and response protocol for cybersecurity incidents,  which could be developed by the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE), in collaboration with AESIA.
9. Develop an integrated data system to facilitate its exchange and use between territories and public services.
10. Empower  the public administration to create AI software  tailored to the needs of each welfare state area.
11. Create a system of virtual agents that help citizens in their interaction with the Public Administration.
12. Implement a comprehensive reform of wealth taxes and bring the tax burden on capital income closer to labour.

Spain, "well positioned" to take the lead in the development of AI

In his interventions, both Pedro Sánchez and the Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Service, Óscar López, highlighted the good starting point for Spain in relation to AI, also highlighting the progress made with the National AI Strategy.

Pedro Sánchez stressed that Spain that the Executive will continue this legislature strengthening capabilities in digital computing and infrastructure, moving towards "an integrated data system that facilitates its exchange and use among different actors and boosting scientific research and technological development of AI". For this reason, it has announced the publication and availability for all users of the first ALIA models. In addition, he announced that EUR 150 million will be mobilised to enhance the integration and use of AI in Spanish companies, in line with the commitment made in the Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Of these, 20 million will soon be allocated to 500 cases of use in small and medium-sized enterprises, the results and experiences of which will be accessible to all the fabric of SMEs, and "will serve to make them a more innovative and competitive ecosystem".

For his part, Minister for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, Óscar López, defended the government's commitment to "democratize digital transformation" and reviewed the progress made with the  National AI Strategy. Among others, the National Center for Neurotechnologies (Spain Neurotech), with which "great advances" are expected in  the treatment of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's,  Alzheimer's,   depression  or sleep disorders, or the location in Spain of one of the seven European factories of AI, thanks to the investment of 62 million from the government, which positions the National Center for Supercomputing as a global reference. In addition, over 600,000 SMEs and self-employed people have received support from the Digital Kit program to digitize  and incorporate AI into their businesses.

Since the last legislature, the government has worked with the private sector, civil society and other administrations in this area and has committed in recent years  EUR 2 billion to drive the development of high-impact technologies,  including AI solutions and their adoption in companies and public institutions. Among others, the Executive has allocated 50 million to finance large research and development projects, 62 million to the creation of the first AI factory in Spain, and another 105 million to facilitate the deployment of this technology in value chains. It has also just committed EUR 500 million for the new semiconductor manufacturing centre in Málaga.