The Council of Ministers has today approved the 2024 Artificial Intelligence Strategy, proposed by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function. This plan reinforces Spain’s commitment to technological innovation, consolidating its position as a leader in the development of AI solutions.
Refueling Technological Capacities
The 2024 AI Strategy, which will have an additional budget of 1.5 billion euros on top of the already mobilized 600 million, focuses on three main pillars. The first pillar addresses the improvement of supercomputing and sustainable storage capacities, crucial elements for the advancement of AI. With an investment of 90 million euros, new specialized clusters will be created to improve the performance of the MareNostrum 5 at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and strengthen the Spanish Supercomputing Network. Additionally, 20% of the MareNostrum 5 capacity will be allocated to the industry, facilitating companies’ access to these advanced technologies.
The strategy also includes the creation of environmentally sustainable Data Processing Centers (DPCs) through a new regulatory framework that will optimize planning and streamline administrative procedures. These initiatives will position Spain as a leader in AI practices that are respectful of the environment.
Furthermore, the ALIA language models family will be developed, with over 20% training in Spanish and co-official languages, reducing biases and enhancing practical applications for businesses and administrations.
Boosting AI in Public and Private Sectors
The second pillar of the strategy focuses on facilitating the adoption of AI in the General State Administration (AGE) and the private sector. Through the GobTech Lab project, pilot projects and innovative solutions will be developed for public entities. For the private sector, the Kit Consulting program will be implemented, with 300 million euros allocated to SMEs and self-employed individuals to hire AI advisory services. Additionally, the Kit Digital program will be expanded with new AI products and an investment of 350 million euros, and 400 million euros will be allocated through the NextTech Fund to finance companies developing AI solutions.
This pillar also includes the future Cybersecurity Law, which will establish a comprehensive framework for the protection of information systems and promote the adoption of AI technologies in the cybersecurity field.
Promoting Ethical and Transparent AI
The third pillar promotes transparent, ethical, and humanistic AI. The Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence (AESIA) will play a key role in this process, acting as a center for analysis and supervision to ensure the responsible deployment of AI and participate in European and global AI governance institutions.
Governance and Monitoring
The State Secretariat for Digitization and Artificial Intelligence will coordinate the strategy, with the participation of all ministries through the Interministerial Commission for the digitalization of the economy and society. Additionally, biannual meetings of the ICT Strategy Commission will be held to evaluate and deploy use cases that improve service to citizens and administrative efficiency.
José Luis Escrivá, Minister for Digital Transformation and the Public Function, highlighted that “this strategy reinforces our technological infrastructure and innovation capabilities, ensuring that the development of AI in Spain is carried out under the highest sustainability and ethical standards, advancing towards a more digitalized and competitive economy.”