A recent study reveals a significant increase in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies by companies in Spain, highlighting their growing importance in various economic sectors.
Sustained growth in AI adoption
According to an independent study conducted by consulting firm Strand Partners and commissioned by Amazon Web Services (AWS), 44% of Spanish companies are currently using AI tools. This figure represents an 8% increase compared to the year 2023, indicating a rising trend in the implementation of these technologies.
The report highlights that almost 80% of local companies in Spain are familiar with AI concepts, and 27% of them show a specific interest in generative AI. Furthermore, nearly 90% of these companies believe that AI technology will transform their businesses and industries in the next five years.
Tangible benefits for companies
Companies that have already implemented AI solutions in their organizations report significant benefits:
- 50% of the interviewed companies point out increased efficiency in their daily operations as the main advantage.
- Over 35% confirm improvements in decision-making and customer experience.
These data demonstrate that AI brings improvements in various departments, not only in terms of productivity but also in team management, customer satisfaction, and overall company reputation.
Leading sectors in AI adoption
The study identifies three main sectors leading AI adoption in Spain:
- Financial Services (53%): Companies like BBVA are using AWS analytics and AI services to create data platforms that provide automated business and market insights.
- Manufacturing (50%): In this sector, AI is mainly applied to predictive analysis, customer service, and content creation. Siemens, for example, has developed an AI-based cybersecurity platform for its IoT services in railways and factories.
- Energy (48%): Iberdrola stands out in this sector with its Center of Excellence (CoE), developing generative AI applications to improve efficiency, personalize customer experience, and optimize energy production.
Other sectors also adopting AI include Travel and Hospitality (41%) and Healthcare (41%), with applications focusing on customer/patient experience personalization, fraud detection, human resources, and inventory optimization.
Challenges in AI implementation
Despite the growth in AI adoption, Spanish companies face several obstacles:
- 34% of companies have had difficulties in hiring employees with AI knowledge.
- 27% have reported problems in training their employees effectively in AI usage.
As a result, 78% of organizations in Spain are willing to pay higher salaries to candidates with AI training. The average time to find an employee with the right digital skills is 5.8 months.
The shortage of digital skills has led to:
- Increase in costs (70%)
- Obstruction of technology adoption (33%)
- Reduction in employee productivity (30%)
However, 72% of companies believe that their current level of digital skills is driving their performance. The most valued digital skills include cybersecurity, generative AI, and cloud computing.
Aragon’s role as a technological hub
The study devotes a specific section to the region of Aragon, considered a reference technological hub in southern Europe:
- 39% of local companies in Aragon are using AI applications and tools.
- Two-thirds of these companies predict AI will transform their business in the next five years.
- 72% of companies state that access to local data centers is important for their business.
Aragonese citizens are optimistic about the impact of investing in new data centers in the region:
- Over 70% state this will have a positive impact on the local Aragonese economy.
- A “Lighthouse Effect” is expected to attract more tech companies and generate additional advantages.
- 61% believe data centers will have a positive impact on the local environment.
Conclusion
The adoption of AI in Spain is on the rise, with 44% of companies already using these technologies. The sectors of Financial Services, Manufacturing, and Energy lead this trend, while the region of Aragon is positioning itself as an important technological hub.
However, the shortage of qualified talent remains a major challenge. Companies are willing to pay more for professionals with AI skills, emphasizing the importance of ongoing training in digital technologies.
As digital transformation accelerates in Spain, AI emerges as a key catalyst for innovation and business competitiveness. The future looks promising, but it will require continuous investment in infrastructure and human capital to harness the full potential of these emerging technologies.
Source: Artificial Intelligence News