The authorities of Andalusia have announced the launch of a new Consejería that will focus on artificial intelligence and technological development. This was reported by the president of the autonomous community, Juan Manuel Moreno, during a meeting with entrepreneurs and representatives of the technology sector in Seville. The new body is intended to serve as a tool to accelerate the modernization of the region’s economy and reduce its lag in employment levels compared to the rest of Spain.
Moreno emphasized that implementing artificial intelligence in the public administration will boost the efficiency and competitiveness of government services. According to him, such measures are necessary to prevent Andalusia from remaining the region with the highest unemployment rate in the country — which currently stands at 14.66%.
Combating business outflow
During the meeting, entrepreneurs openly voiced concerns about the risk of mass company relocation. Many are already facing the need to move headquarters to other regions due to more favorable tax and financial conditions. Participants insisted that without support for startups and investment in innovation, the region will continue to lose talent and capital.
In response to these concerns, Moreno promised to introduce tax incentives for investors funding technology companies, as well as to create a permanent digital support center for entrepreneurs. Other measures include launching an investment fund for startups and establishing a hub for the development of the aerospace sector.
The role of universities and young companies
Special attention at the meeting was given to the links between universities and business. Representatives from the academic community and technology companies noted that without investment in higher education and the development of communication channels between universities and companies, it is impossible to retain young professionals in the region. Suggestions were made to simplify the hiring process for graduates and to strengthen support for innovative projects at the scaling stage.
Young entrepreneurs, such as the founders of Pacerin and Wuolah, spoke about the difficulties of finding information on available support measures and the weak investment culture in Andalusia. According to them, only 15% of the investments they attracted came from local sources, while the situation in Madrid and Barcelona is fundamentally different.
A call for change
Among the key demands of businesses are the creation of conditions for the growth of micro-enterprises, which make up 95% of the region’s companies, and the development of infrastructure for technology startups. Executives of companies operating in avionics, electronics, and augmented reality highlighted the importance of cooperation between entrepreneurs and the role of the state in fostering such connections.
Moreno promised that during the election campaign, he would continue to meet with representatives from various industries to take their proposals into account when shaping future economic policy. Issues of business support and preventing the outflow of companies are becoming increasingly relevant against the backdrop of recent disputes within political forces, as was the case in Compromís during discussions about the candidacy of Mónica Oltra, which was previously reported in the report on internal disagreements within the party.
