Training in Artificial Intelligence: Key to Competitiveness, Equity and Social Impact
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the most powerful engines for economic and social transformation. However, its true potential will only be reached if we make it accessible to all. Democratising AI is not an option, but a strategic necessity to ensure competitiveness, inclusion and progress in an increasingly digital world.
Why training in AI is essential for the future
AI is redefining the way we work, learn and relate. More than 50% of Spanish companies already use generative AI, mainly for analysis, problem solving and team idea generation. This shows that technology does not replace human creativity, but rather power. But for this revolution to be sustainable, we must make sure that no one is left behind.
AI training not only improves employability, but also drives innovation and productivity. According to previous experiences in digital skills programs, more than 1.4 million people in Spain have benefited from free courses, and 150,000 managed to find employment or improve professionally thanks to them. This data confirms that investing in digital knowledge generates tangible results.
Democratising AI: a large-scale bet
One of the most ambitious goals in this area is to train one million Spaniards in artificial intelligence by 2027. This goal involves collaboration between technology companies, educational institutions and financial institutions. The approach is not limited to core courses, but includes specialized programs such as:
- Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence: a 10-hour introductory course that provides the basis for understanding how AI works.
- Prompting modules : designed to improve productivity in work environments through the efficient use of generative tools.
This type of training not only prepares professionals for today's challenges, but also gives them tools to adapt to an ever-evolving labour market.
Inclusion: the heart of the technological revolution
AI will only be a real revolution if it is inclusive. This means acting on all fronts: age, gender, vulnerable groups and territory. Among the most prominent initiatives are:
- Experience AI, in collaboration with DeepMind and the FAD Foundation, which introduces AI concepts to young people between the ages of 11 and 14.
- More Women in AI, a program to increase women's presence in the tech sector.
- Training for VET and university students, with free access to advanced tools such as Gemini Pro.
- Programmes for vulnerable groups, developed together with the ONCE Foundation.
In addition, local agreements are being promoted to bring AI closer to SMEs, train teachers and strengthen cybersecurity in different regions of the country. These actions seek to bridge the digital divide and ensure that technology is a resource for all, not a privilege for a few.
Social and scientific impact of AI
Artificial intelligence not only transforms companies; It also saves lives. There are projects that apply AI in medical research, such as those developed together with the CSIC and the Google.org Foundation. These initiatives have made it possible to accelerate the discovery of treatments for tropical diseases and improve the detection of complex pathologies.
An inspiring example is the work of a startup incubated at Google for Startups, which uses AI to diagnose cardiovascular disease. Thanks to this technology, they have managed to improve the detection of arrhythmias by 95% and reduce false positives by 98%. These advances demonstrate that AI, when purposefully targeted, can have a real impact on health and quality of life.
Innovation with purpose: an ethical imperative
Technology does not make sense if it is not at the service of the human being. Democratizing AI means ensuring that no one is left out of the future. This involves designing public policies, educational programs and business strategies that prioritize equity and sustainability.
AI is not an end in itself, but a tool to boost talent, reduce inequalities and build a more competitive and inclusive society. The challenge is to combine innovation with responsibility, ensuring that each technological advance contributes to improving people's lives.
Conclusion: a path that requires collaboration
Training in artificial intelligence is much more than teaching how to use digital tools; is to prepare society for a profound change affecting the economy, education and culture. Achieving this goal requires the collaboration of all actors: companies, institutions, universities and citizens.
The future will be digital, but it must also be human. AI offers us a unique opportunity to create a more just and prosperous world. Taking advantage of it depends on our ability to learn, adapt and share knowledge. Because in the age of artificial intelligence, the real power is not in technology, but in the people who know how to use it to transform reality.