Basque society is facing a demographic crunch: fewer people of working age and a growing need for care. The forum Zedarriak has issued a blunt warning: unless Euskadi acts now to adopt human-centered robotics, it risks losing control over how automation will shape its economy and daily life.
In its ninth report, "La próxima revolución: Inteligencia Artificial con cuerpo", Zedarriak argues against treating robots as simple replacements for people. Instead, the group calls for advanced automation and humanoid robots to take on physically demanding or repetitive work, including roles that are increasingly hard to fill as the population gets older. The aim is to keep productivity up while protecting wellbeing and social ties in one of Europe's oldest regions.
The report says the Basque model of wellbeing, built on a large active workforce, is under pressure. With fewer working-age residents and rising needs in healthcare and social services, the region faces a clear choice. Zedarriak argues that the answer is to bring in physical artificial intelligence, including robots, smart machines and automation, guided by a human-centered approach. This would free people from the toughest jobs, letting them focus on judgement and creativity, as well as care and building trust, areas where machines fall short.
For industry, the message is direct. The report urges Basque manufacturers to shift toward making humanoid robots and their parts, aiming to make this a new industrial pillar alongside automotive and aerospace. Zedarriak sees economic potential in this shift. A human-centered approach to robotics could give Europe an edge, setting it apart from models focused solely on cutting costs.
But the window is closing. Zedarriak recommends starting with jobs that are already hard to fill or physically tough, rather than causing sudden job losses. For early adoption, the report names manufacturing, logistics and industrial maintenance, along with healthcare and elder care. It also points to urban services, cleaning and security. The report challenges Euskadi to decide now how it wants to use physical AI in its economy and public services, warning that waiting will leave basic choices to others.
Spain, and the Basque Country in particular, are not alone in facing an ageing population. Across Europe, older populations are putting pressure on welfare systems and exposing gaps in the workforce. Eurostat projects that by 2050, nearly 30% of Spain's population will be over 65, with the Basque Country already among the most affected. This trend is speeding up the search for technology that can maintain living standards without losing social cohesion. Zedarriak's approach, robotics with a human focus, offers a way to protect quality of life and stable jobs instead of chasing short-term gains. Whether Basque industry and policymakers act now will shape the economy and determine whether the region can hold onto its social model as the population ages.
