Google highlighted the need to harmonize the regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting that the current panorama is fragmented. Kent Walker, president of global affairs at Google and Alphabet, stressed the importance of working with governments to balance innovation and regulation.
During an event organized in Madrid by South Summit and Google to analyze the “Draghi report”, Walker highlighted that there are multiple regulations on AI in different international forums, such as the United Nations, G7, G20 and the OECD. , among others, which generates a lack of cohesion. “It is essential that regulations are aligned, as we are currently faced with many different standards”said the manager.
Walker emphasized the importance of working closely with governments in developing these regulations, taking into account the speed with which the technology sector is evolving, particularly in the case of emerging companies. “It is time to act quickly and harness the energy of those who run these companies,” he commented, encouraging entrepreneurs to lead change.
Furthermore, he stressed that it is essential that this collaboration between governments and technology companies focuses on regulation that not only creates barriers, but also promotes innovation. “Regulation must not just say no; it must find ways to encourage yes, supporting entrepreneurship and new ideas,” he pointed out.
Walker said it will be essential to achieve the right balance between regulation and innovation at a time when there is great enthusiasm for the potential of AI. He highlighted that artificial intelligence is not only a technological advancement, but also a crucial tool for progress in areas such as sustainability, science, quantum computing and health.
Public-private collaboration as a strategic key
He Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Service, Óscar Lópezwho participated in this event, highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration as a “strategic” element to promote digital transformation in Spain. During his speech, López stressed that this cooperation is essential to face citizens’ challenges and move towards digital sovereignty, in line with the conclusions of the Draghi report.
López agreed with Draghi’s analysis, emphasizing that more coordinated and active public intervention is essential. “The dichotomy between business and state is outdated because it is insufficient. The collaboration between the two sectors is strategic and many of the companies present here have professionals trained in public universities,” said the minister.
The head of Digital Transformation highlighted the work of the Spanish Government since the last legislature, aiming to promote innovation and the positioning of artificial intelligence as a driver of transformation and increased productivity. Likewise, he highlighted the promotion of a sustainable investment climate and improving the efficiency of the public sector.
López also reflected on the Draghi report, which states that The market alone is not capable of responding to all citizens’ challenges or guaranteeing digital sovereignty and the strategic autonomy of Europe. In this sense, he stressed that collaboration between public administration and the private sector has existed for a long time, but that we can now observe more ambitious synergies, particularly in digital training.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to innovation and reindustrialization as means of promoting business development in the country. “Public-private collaboration is essential today to achieve sustainable and equitable growth”he said, emphasizing that digital transformation must have a humanistic approach, in a context where problems such as inequality, hate speech, “fake news” and mental or sexual health problems are increasingly even more obvious.
Regarding the European Next Generation funds, López highlighted their central role in the recovery plan and the digital transformation of the country. However, he stressed that in addition to this aid, structural measures, such as legislative measures, are necessary. One example is the Startup Act, which encourages technological development.
Finally, the minister said that technological transformation represents a great opportunity to improve social and territorial cohesion, as well as to reduce the gender gap. “The time has come to take the plunge,” he concluded.
Resilience of the Spanish ecosystem
The Secretary of State for Industry, Rebeca Torró, also participated in this event, highlighting the resilience of the Spanish industrial ecosystem and its strong capacity to compete internationally, an aspect that is not new and which has was described in detail in Dragi’s report. . In this context, the government has indicated that its priority is to advance the industrialization of the country, an objective which requires the decarbonization of the sector to consolidate the different productive areas.
To achieve this objective, The Executive underlined the importance of European funds, but also recognized the fundamental role of national companies. Thanks to the Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation (LOSS), 8.5 billion euros have been allocated by the Ministry of Industry, with a clear objective: the global transformation of Spanish companies. These projects aim to promote a more competitive and sustainable industry, adapted to global challenges.
Furthermore, It was emphasized that public-private collaboration will be essential to achieve the set objectives. In this sense, Torró insisted on the need to build a more productive European Union, which maintains the values of equity and social inclusion as pillars of its development.
Although there is still much to do, authorities believe that the country is moving in the right direction. As proof of this progress, it was highlighted that the Standard and Poor’s rating has reached maximum levels in recent months, standing 8 points above the European average.
Finally, the need to have new instruments to develop a European green policy promoting the transition to a sustainable model was underlined. According to the Secretariat, this is the model of Europe on which we are betting, a Europe that advances in the scenario after the Next Generation European funds, and in which Spain already plays a decisive role. The authorities have underlined the pride that projects that manage to move forward should arouse in society.
For his part, Miguel Escassi, Director of Public Policy and Institutional Relations at Google Spain and Portugalexpressed his gratitude for the day dedicated to competitiveness. According to Escassi, AI presents a significant opportunity to drive competitiveness, highlighting the need to build the capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups.
Likewise, he stressed the importance of achieving a virtuous balance between the regulatory framework and digital activity. Escassi spoke of the need to invest in digital infrastructure and AI, citing as examples the submarine cable that crosses Spain and the Google Cloud region that has been established in the country, as well as the inauguration of a Google installation in Malaga last year. ancient.
The director also highlighted that, thanks to Google’s Activitate program, 1.5 million Spaniards have been trained in digital skills. He stressed that the common goal is the digital transformation of Spain, seeking to make it responsible, sustainable and inclusive. Since Google arrived in the country more than 20 years ago, the company has worked collaboratively with the government and the private sector, reaffirming its commitment to public-private collaboration.
