The Global Technology Forum concludes that Spain has talent and technology, but does not convert these strengths into productivity and advanced industry. Short-term politics and the lack of continuity in strategic projects hinder progress.
Spain is ready to adopt the fourth industrial revolution, but not to lead it in the highest value-added sectors. This is the conclusion of the first edition of the Global Technology Forum, held in Madrid last week with business leaders, scientists, and international experts, as reported by ecosistemastartup.com.
The diagnosis points to an execution problem, not a lack of plans. The country has competitive universities, engineers, and researchers, but fails in three areas: talent retention, the connection between research and business, and the coverage of specialized technical profiles.
In infrastructure, renewables and European connections open the door to attracting data centres and electrified industry. The limit lies in the availability of network connection, storage, and infrastructure timelines, which can dilute that advantage.
In industry, Spain has competitive manufacturers in automotive, components, machinery, and aerospace. The challenge is to increase technological investment, automation, and the weight of high value-added proprietary products. In large companies, Spain is as productive or more productive than its surroundings, as clarified at the forum.
The forum identifies short-term politics as an institutional risk. Polarisation encourages parties to focus on the next electoral cycle and displaces crucial debates: productivity, technical training, industry, energy, and innovation.
“The problem is not discussing politics, but that strategic priorities change with each cycle.”
The OECD highlights the need to reduce administrative barriers, facilitate the growth of SMEs, and simplify access to public support for R&D. Building capabilities in semiconductors, robotics, AI, or biotechnology requires multi-year investments and decisions that survive several governments.
The European Commission, in its report on the Digital Decade of 2026, acknowledges Spain's strengths in connectivity, digital skills, and public services, but warns that the country does not fully leverage these advantages in businesses or in the availability of ICT specialists. The Commission recommends improving business innovation, facilitating the growth of tech companies, and strengthening the relationship between science and business.
The real risk is to grow without gaining productivity. The OECD identifies productivity and the growth of SMEs as essential challenges for Spain to converge in income with more advanced economies. The favourable scenario is for AI and automation to raise productivity; the adversary is to remain consuming foreign technology without generating its own intellectual property.
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