Technological Sovereignty
The DES 2026 congress in Malaga kicks off with a call from experts to develop a European AI that guarantees the continent's digital sovereignty against other powers. Cybersecurity and data governance are positioned as strategic pillars for businesses.
The largest European event on Artificial Intelligence, DES – Digital Enterprise Show 2026, has started in Málaga with a clear warning from the technology community: Europa needs to build its own AI infrastructure to ensure its digital sovereignty and competitivenessBefore more than 15.000 international executives, the first day focused on governance, geopolitics and the ethical use of this disruptive technology.
The ethical and human debate: "Ethics in AI does not exist, it exists in people"
One of the most compelling analyses has come from Ricardo Baeza-Yates, an academic specializing in AI at the prestigious KTH Royal Institute of Technology de SueciaThe expert demystified the nature of the technology, reminding everyone that the responsibility lies solely with its creators. "AI doesn't behave, and that's one of the problems we have—we talk about it as if it were human," he stated, adding that "ethics doesn't exist in AI; it exists in people." Therefore, he insisted that any development must be linked "to those who design and develop these systems."
Baeza-Yates He warned of the risks of unsupervised use of artificial intelligence, which could lead to "more disinformation, more bias, unknown implicit censorship, less diversity, and a wider digital divide." He stressed the need for a rigorous framework that includes impact assessment, scientific evidence, ongoing testing, monitoring, and algorithmic auditing before any large-scale implementation.
The geopolitical dimension: Europe facing global technological supremacy
The conversation was elevated to the geostrategic level in a high-level panel. Carme Artigas, a leading figure in AI with experience in the ONU And the government was direct: "Technology always shapes the map of countries and the balance of power." According to ArtigasPower has shifted towards the control of data and infrastructure, and the goal of the major powers is clear: "to achieve AI supremacy." To this end, it considers control of data and energy sources fundamental, advocating for transparency and international cooperation.
From a corporate perspective, Osmar PoloCEO T-Systems IberiaHe defended the need for a strong European alternative. "We don't need to be isolated, but we do need to have options." Europa "It needs to have its own solutions in order to be able to choose," he stated. Polo He sees a "great opportunity to position Europa as an alternative to Estados Unidos"But he warned that to achieve this it is essential to "connect data, cloud and security" and overcome the fragmentation of the European market despite having a great talent pool.
Completing the analysis, Lali Soler, Director of the Digital Area of EurecatHe urged that the debate not be limited to the geopolitical framework, but be broadened to include the technological one. Soler He pointed to the future of smaller, more open language models as a strategic path and warned of a crucial risk: the loss of critical thinking. "We depend on the responses of these models. This can be dangerous if we don't compensate by being aware of this situation," he concluded.
| Ponente | Position/Company | Key Vision |
|---|---|---|
| Carme Artigas | AI expert (ex-ONU) | AI supremacy is based on control of data and infrastructure. |
| Osmar Polo | CEO of T-Systems Iberia | Europa It must develop its own solutions so as not to depend on EE.UU. |
| Lali Soler | Digital Director of Eurecat | Support open models and preserve critical thinking in the face of AI. |
Governance and cybersecurity: the C-Level response to new risks
The adoption of AI in the business environment requires a robust governance framework. Tomás Gómez, CISO of Gobierno de La RiojaHe emphasized that one of the top priorities for boards of directors should be "to approve a governance technology policy." He advocated for a cautious approach, as AI "is not without risks and must be adopted in a reasoned manner."
In the same line, Laura del Pino, Information Security Discipline Leader of BBVAHe emphasized that technology must also be part of the defensive solution. "Criminals have the potential to carry out more scalable scams, and we have to defend ourselves accordingly," he explained. His main point was clear: "Growing without AI is not an option, but neither is growing without control."
Data quality was positioned as the fundamental pillar. Enrique MolineCISO of CarrefourHe summarized it this way: "The guarantee lies in good data governance and regulatory compliance to make sound decisions." For his part, Alfonso López-Escobar, Chief Information Security Officer of the Empresa Municipal de Aguas de MálagaHe insisted that companies must have a "cybersecurity roadmap" that considers recovery times and capabilities in the event of incidents. Finally, Antonio Sánchez-Maroto, Cybersecurity Business Development Manager at MasOrangeHe emphasized the internal culture, calling for "training all employees to understand the technology and use it responsibly."
Key points and frequently asked questions about AI sovereignty in Europe
How does the lack of sovereign AI in Europe affect my company?
The reliance on AI technologies developed outside of Europa, mainly in Estados UnidosThis exposes Spanish companies to risks of service disruption, changes in usage policies, and potential misalignment with European regulations (such as the GDPR). At a strategic level, it limits their capacity for innovation and long-term competitiveness by relinquishing control over a key technology.
What practical measures should Spanish managers take in the face of these risks?
Experts recommend, first of all, establishing a data and technology governance policy Clear and approved by the board of directors. Investing in cybersecurity is crucial to defend against AI-powered threats while simultaneously using it as a protective measure. Finally, an internal training culture should be fostered to promote the responsible and conscious use of AI tools.
Is it realistic for Europe to compete with the United States in the development of AI?
According to the speakers in DES 2026, Europa It has the necessary talent, but faces the challenge of a fragmented market. The path forward is not to replicate the massive models of the large US tech companies, but to create its own ecosystem, connecting data, cloud services, and security, and focusing on smaller, more open language models that offer a competitive alternative aligned with European values.
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