ENIA: National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence

In today’s world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an essential tool for economic and social transformation. Spain, recognizing this potential, has developed the Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2024, an ambitious plan aimed at establishing the country as a leader in this technological revolution. Below, we explore the key points of this strategy and how it will impact various sectors.


Enhancing AI in the Public and Private Sectors

One of the core pillars of the AI Strategy 2024 is the promotion of artificial intelligence adoption in both the public sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

The public sector will not only enhance the efficiency and quality of the services offered to citizens but also act as a catalyst for the private sector. This collaboration is crucial to ensure that SMEs, which represent a significant part of Spain's business landscape, do not fall behind in this technological transformation.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The strategy highlights the importance of entrepreneurship in the field of AI. To foster innovation, acceleration and early-stage funding programs have been established for startups. 

These programs, in collaboration with private entities, will provide the necessary support for startups to attract investment and scale their operations both in Europe and Latin America. This approach will not only drive technological development but also position Spain as a hub of innovation in artificial intelligence.

Security and Trust: Cybersecurity as a Strategic Pillar

Cybersecurity is another critical component of the AI Strategy 2024. With the rise of digitalization, cybersecurity has become a priority for protecting data and information systems in both the public and private sectors. The strategy includes the implementation of a robust cybersecurity framework to ensure the protection of critical infrastructures and foster trust in the adoption of new technologies. 

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"The combination of AI and cybersecurity will enable the development of advanced tools for the prevention and detection of threats, thereby ensuring a secure digital environment for all."



Training and Talent Development

Talent development is essential for the success of the AI Strategy 2024. The Spanish government has launched several initiatives to promote training in AI-related skills. This includes scholarships and advanced training programs covering both technical and ethical aspects, ensuring responsible and effective adoption of artificial intelligence. Additionally, doctoral programs and research grants will be promoted to strengthen the knowledge base and attract international talent to Spain.

ALIA Model: A Focus on Language and Inclusion

One of the most innovative aspects of the strategy is the development of the ALIA model, a foundational language model in Spanish and co-official languages. This model will serve as infrastructure for the development of advanced applications in language technologies, thereby facilitating the creation of services and products that can be used across various sectors. The transparency and openness of this model will be ensured by the Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence (AESIA), which will oversee adherence to ethical and quality standards.

Key Initiatives

Supercomputing

A reinforcement of supercomputing capacity with a planned investment of between €55M and €90M for the upgrade of MareNostrum 5, which will include the latest GPU technologies, achieving a processing capacity of over 450 petaflops per second.

ALIA Model:

 

Development of foundational language models in Spanish and co-official languages, aiming to create models with up to 175 billion parameters. The first version of the initial model will be available in the summer of 2024.


Data Processing Centers (DPCs):


Planning and organization for the installation of sustainable data processing centers, with a total estimated power capacity of 2500 MW by 2030.



Talent Development:

  

Advanced training programs, doctoral and research scholarships, and technology scouting activities, including the execution of proof-of-concepts and the development of demonstrators.

Cybersecurity:    

Implementation of a robust regulatory framework for cybersecurity and the establishment of the Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence (AESIA) to oversee its use.


The Importance of Data Centers in the AI Strategy

The infrastructure of data processing centers (DPCs) is crucial for the success of the AI Strategy 2024. The demand for data storage and processing has grown exponentially with the rise of AI, requiring facilities that can handle large volumes of data efficiently and sustainably. Spain is positioning itself as a leader in the development of DPCs due to its geographical advantages and leadership in renewable energy. Digital transformation in data centers.

It is critical to invest in the automation of data centers to ensure they operate with maximum efficiency and security. Automation not only reduces operational costs but also improves the reliability and speed of the services offered. The proyect DC-AIOPS it represents a significant advancement in the implementation of advanced data management and cybersecurity technologies in data centers, which will enable Spain to effectively handle the growing workload while maintaining competitiveness in the global AI market.

Conclusion

Spain's Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2024 is a comprehensive plan that addresses technological transformation from multiple angles: adoption in key sectors, promotion of entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, talent development, and the creation of inclusive and transparent models. Investment in data processing centers and their automation is crucial to achieving the objectives of this strategy, ensuring that Spain can fully leverage the benefits of the digital revolution.

For more information about the AI Strategy 2024, we invite you to visit the following link:

Ministerio para la Transformación Digital y de la Función Pública de España

  https://portal.mineco.gob.es/es-es/digitalizacionIA/Paginas/ENIA.aspx​


 

DC-AIOPs Project: Towards Unattended Operations in Data Centers