The Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Service, Óscar López, recognized the position that Spain occupies in the “double ecological and digital revolution” that is being experienced in the world. A positioning, he said, that was possible “hand in hand with private initiative, hand in hand with entrepreneurs, with those who innovate, with those who invest, with those who take risks”. The minister quantified the “largest public-private collaboration effort” ever carried out in Spain: “One euro in three of European funds has been allocated to the digital transition”.
During his closing speech at the gala presentation of the XVII CincoDías Awards for Business Innovation, held this Tuesday at the Repsol Auditorium, at the headquarters of the energy company in Madrid, the Minister underlined that thanks to this impulse, 515,000 SMEs and self-employed workers have received help to digitize their business, through the digital kit. An aid, he explained, which can be achieved in three minutes – “because even the public service is digitalised” – and which places Spain among the 20 countries with the most digitalised Public Administration.
The Minister argued in his presentation that, even if Spain has missed other trains in the history of industrial revolutions, on this occasion the country had the vision that “this time it was necessary to be in the double ecological and digital transition, and of the hand of private sector”. To support his words, he recalled that more than 476,000 new jobs have been created linked to innovation and new technologies. López spoke of artificial intelligence and opted for “a humanist Europe, that is a third way between the American model and the Chinese one. The European model must be competitive, but humanistic”.
The minister highlighted the development of data centers and recalled that last week a call for 500 million euros was launched so that companies “can develop data spaces”. And also a 12 million euro plan with the Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) “so that administrations and municipalities can also create data spaces”.
Regarding the financing of innovation projects, López referred to the participation of the president of the CNMV, Rodrigo Buenventura, who underlined “the importance of risk capital”. The minister also underlined ”the importance of the entrepreneurial state, which also invests, supports and supports Spanish business, through SETT, the Spanish Transformation Company, which will make very important investments for this digital transformation”.
López cited Incibe, the National Institute for Cyber Security, an organization that “will go from monitoring 400 to 40,000 companies to strengthen their cybersecurity.” He also highlighted the approval of a law on startups, which allowed “many entrepreneurs to come to Spain”.
The head of the Digital Transition portfolio referred to the Spanish project of one of the most powerful supercomputers on the planet “thanks to public investments, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, which is carrying out wonderful and innovative projects in the fields of healthcare, water management, traffic management in cities”.
“The very existence of a Ministry for the digital transition, which among other things is linked to public service, is a strong sign of all this,” the minister said. “This time Spain is in the new revolution, in the new transition. The numbers support this country’s commitment,” he assured. And he said that the innovative drive “will continue to be like this, because there is the will, there is the vision, there are the funds and the resources. And there are excellent entrepreneurs.” For all this he believes “that the path is the right one despite the difficulties. “There is a clear roadmap and there are resources.”
The minister’s speech served as the closing ceremony of the 17th edition of the CincoDías awards for business innovation, sponsored by Repsol, CaixaBank and in collaboration with Cosentino, and which this year recognized the projects of Crisalion and Matteco, as well a as Bezoya (belonging to Pascual) and Homming. While the award for the most innovative manager went to Cristina García, general director of Beigene for Spain and Portugal.
This year’s jury consisted of Helena Herrero, president and CEO of Hewlett Packard; Javier Escribano, executive director of Escribano M&E and winner of the most innovative executive award of the latest edition; Carme Artigas, former Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence; Jorge Rivera, director of corporate and institutional relations at PRISA; and Pilar Gil, vice president of PRISA.
How does Spain’s approach to digital transformation differ from that of the US and China?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Digital Transformation Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Maria Castaneda, an expert in digital transformation and innovation policies. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Castaneda.
Dr. Maria Castaneda: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Recently, Minister Óscar López spoke about Spain’s proactive stance in the “double ecological and digital revolution.” How significant do you think this dual focus is for Spain’s future?
Castaneda: It’s absolutely pivotal. Acknowledging both ecological and digital transitions signifies an understanding that these challenges are interconnected. They need to be addressed in tandem for sustainable progress. By integrating these two aspects, Spain not only positions itself as a competitive player but also sets a model for other nations to follow.
Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. The Minister highlighted that one euro in three of European funds is now directed towards digital transition. What does this level of investment signify for the country and its entrepreneurs?
Castaneda: This is a substantial commitment. It reflects a broader recognition of the digital economy’s transformative power. By channeling European funds into digital initiatives, Spain is fostering innovation and enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to thrive. The fact that 515,000 SMEs and self-employed workers have received assistance through the digital kit is an incredible step forward. It streamlines access to resources and promotes growth in the digital space.
Editor: Minister López mentioned that Spain has developed a humanistic approach to digital transformation, seeking a ”third way” between American and Chinese models. How do you interpret this ambition?
Castaneda: This vision for a humanistic Europe is commendable because it prioritizes ethics, inclusivity, and societal well-being while remaining competitive. By focusing on technology that benefits people and respects privacy, it presents an alternative that values human impact over sheer technological advancement. It’s essential to balance economic progress with human rights and societal values.
Editor: The Minister also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity with the goal of monitoring 40,000 companies through the National Institute for Cyber Security. Why is bolstering cybersecurity so crucial in our current technological landscape?
Castaneda: Cybersecurity is vital as businesses increasingly rely on digital infrastructures that are susceptible to attacks. Strengthening cybersecurity not only protects companies but also fosters trust in digital systems—something essential for broader adoption of technology. With the rise in cyber threats, particularly in an era of heightened online activity, investing in solid defense mechanisms is more important than ever for economic stability.
Editor: There was also mention of a call for investment in data centers and data spaces. How do you see this impacting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Spain?
Castaneda: Setting up data centers and creating data spaces can significantly enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing businesses with the infrastructure needed to harness big data. This facilitates innovation in sectors like AI, healthcare, and logistics. For entrepreneurs, having access to robust data resources means more informed decision-making, faster product iterations, and ultimately, a competitive edge in the market.
Editor: Lastly, could you elaborate on the role of the Spanish Transformation Company (SETT) in investing and supporting this vision?
Castaneda: SETT’s role is crucial as it symbolizes the state’s commitment to the entrepreneurial spirit. By investing in innovation projects, SETT helps mitigate the risks associated with startups and emerging technologies. This is especially important in industries where capital is a barrier to entry. By providing support and resources, SETT can facilitate a more vibrant start-up culture and spur economic growth.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Castaneda, for your insights on Spain’s digital transformation journey. It’s fascinating to see how innovation, sustainability, and humanism can seamlessly intersect.
Castaneda: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these critical topics. I look forward to seeing how Spain navigates this exciting path ahead!
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Stay informed with Time.news as we continue to follow the developments in Spain’s digital transformation and its implications for the global landscape.
