“In Andalusia, a wonderful digital ecosystem is being created thanks to talent.”

The event began with Jorge Paradella, Minister of Industry, Energy and Mines of the Andalusian Junta, who conveyed the vision of the Andalusian government on issues such as digitalization or sustainability. “The fit with what we’ve been doing is frankly interesting,” he noted. He added: “We have long said that the driving force of progress is the intersection between digitalization and the energy transition, translating into environmental sustainability.”

In this sense, the Chancellor emphasized that “we have seen for some time that Europe wants to re-industrialize itself with clean energy and digitalization. Andalusia has a lot to say. Paradella stated that change is progressing at a “fast-paced” pace in both physical, digital and technological media. “In addition, there is a common accelerating factor, which is artificial intelligence,” he added.

“We believe that Andalusia has the opportunity to play a pioneering role in this field, to which we devote a lot of effort,” the advisor said, stressing that “when these engines move together, we reach a more just and balanced society. Our role is twofold: to facilitate the productive fabric and to be a partner in it.” Paradella also mentioned that in Andalusia there is also a lot of digital talent, which is “the new blood that our economy needs.”

In this sense, the Minister of Industry explained that the Andalusian government will launch eleven digital and technological nodes in cooperation with the Investment Initiative (EOI), dedicated to promoting training in the field of entrepreneurship and digital skills.

In addition, Paradilla also highlighted projects such as the collaboration with Telefónica in the Andalusia Open Future startup accelerator, and the Just Transition Fund, dedicated to the development of the industry through European funds. The advisor confirmed that his government has committed to pumping 2.6 billion euros into this sector. “A great digital ecosystem is being created in Andalusia thanks to the talent we have,” the advisor concluded.

Towards a connected world

After Paradilla, Joaquín Segovia, Southern Regional Director of Telefónica, spoke and gave a presentation entitled “5G and IoT for Sustainable and Connected Cities”. “We are moving from the industrial age to the digital age, which is faster and exponential,” she began the lecture.

“This digital society is inundating everything,” Segovia explained, emphasizing that this change is powered by three great enablers: the last mile, hyperconnectivity; Explosion of data and processing power.

In this sense, the CEO of Telefonica explained that Spain and Andalusia, above average, have the best infrastructure in the world. Segovia has focused on 5G technology, designed to promote the Internet of Things and provide key features for the development of smart cities.

He stressed that “the impact of technology comes at a critical moment: the impact of climate change,” adding, “We have to be sustainable, and there we have an opportunity: in talent.” He said: “We must support it to develop future services.”

Segovia also paused during his presentation to explain what connected cities should look like. He explained, “Smart cities are working to transform their management models to improve the lives of those who live and visit them, solve urban challenges with technology and innovation, and always put the citizen at the center.”

“We have the best connectivity in Europe, the opportunity to lead this change towards a sustainable world, and the talent to foster innovation to build a digital and sustainable future from Seville,” concluded Segovia.

Focus on talent

Next, Juan Martinez Parría, founder and president of Universal DX and promoter of the Sputnik Entrepreneurship Program, took the stage. “Talent is key,” he began. “When talent is concentrated, mindset is focused, ambition sticks, and role models and joint projects are created,” he explained, adding that ambition and the desire to do things well to be contagious “it takes one dose.”

This is what Sputnik tried to do “to find the most ambitious young people.” The goal is to have five thousand people through the program within 10 years. “An army to change the world,” Martinez-Barria said. “We help them launch new projects with the aim of taking them to the top,” he stressed, citing examples of success stories in recent years.

“But reaching the summit is not enough,” he warned. “For us, the most important thing is commitment. They have to go back to being the locomotives of Andalusia,” Martínez Baría concluded during his speech.