Self-respect is an essential element of leadership. This is also the case in the technological sphere. Spain has historically shown some prudence when it comes to evaluating its digitization capabilities. This caution has allowed us to maintain constant humility and a desire to improve. At a time when technology is the main vector of strategic competitiveness and autonomy, It is essential to clearly recognize the welcome advances and project them with ambition.
It is certain that if we compare ourselves to the great technological powers such as the United States, China, Japan or South Korea, we would have to go back again anyway. But the analysis cannot be disputed, unfortunately. When the comparison is made in a European context, the data highlight that Spain has a leading position in key areas.
Brujula Digital of the European Union confirms this. Our country has a fiber coverage of 95.2% compared to 36.8% in Germany or 64% of the European average. In basic digital skills, 66.2% of the population has an education in this subject, which clearly exceeds the European average (55.6%). In the digitization of public services, Spain reaches 88.8%, consolidating itself as one of the most advanced states in my country.
These facts should not inspire complacency, but rather strategic confidence. Without confidence, I have no leadership. Without a leader, I have no capacity to influence the European agenda.
If self-respect is a prerequisite, complacency is your worst enemy. Maintaining and strengthening our digital infrastructure must be a structural priority. Connectivity is the foundation of building a digital economy. Capacity, latency and security needs are growing exponentiallyand telecommunication networks are critical and strategic infrastructures. Permanent inversion is therefore irrefutable.
The second big vector is talent. Even as we advance in basic skills, still a third of the population cares about basic digital skills in an environment where the digital is transversal. At the same time, the share of ICT specialists in Spain (4.7%) is slightly lower than the European average (5%). This may seem like a marginal difference, but it has a direct impact on our manufacturing transformation capacity.
We need more experts in artificial intelligence, cyber security, data, automation and Industry 4.0. But also we need an integrated vision of digital skills throughout life: from compulsory education to ongoing vocational training, including active participation of industry in educational processes.
The third pillar is innovation. Spain is a global leader in scientific production (among the top ten countries in the SJR index). no embargo, in innovation we descend to point 29 in the global index of the World Intellectual Property Organization. This gap between science and innovation represents one of our main structural challenges.
We need to strengthen technology transfer mechanisms, create university study programs that are more flexible and shared with business, and improve a collaborative environment where inquiry translates into product, industry and quality work. In this line, Transfiere was created five years ago, the main European R+D+i forum, which is evolving to respond to the big problems of the science and technology ecosystem. Innovation is not an end in itself: it is the basis of industrial competitiveness and good standing.
Digital transformation is not a widespread phenomenon in the technology sector; It is a cross-cutting process that must permeate all manufacturing sectors and public administration. For this reason, collaboration 2.0 becomes a structural element.
Collaboration between large companies and small businesses to expand and compete globally. Cooperation between the company and the university to accelerate the transfer of knowledge. Cooperation between administrative authorities (state, autonomous communities and local entities) to develop coherent and coordinated policies. And public and private sector cooperation on strategic projects of countries.
The document on SMEs and sectors in which Spain is a global leader (tourism, agri-food industry, automotive industry, banking) is particularly relevant. Effective adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics or cyber security can be achieved in these areas multiply its productivity and international position.
In this process, we must not forget the human factor. Artificial intelligence must serve people and improving processes to guarantee ethical principles, transparency and trust. There is also a critical human component to cyber security: the security culture is as important as the technology deployed.
*** Francisco Hortigüela, President of Ametic.
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