The Spanish Association for Digitalization (DigitalES) has requested for the next legislature a State pact for digital talent that will make it possible to double the weight of ICT specialists in the labor market, going from the current 4.8% to 10%. In addition, it proposes redirecting business digitalization aid toward artificial intelligence initiatives that demonstrate real increases in productivity.
The technology employers' association has designed a proposal for Digital Agenda 2030 with which it urges political parties and institutions to place digital transformation among the central priorities of the new political stage.
To achieve a greater number of technological specialists in employment, DigitalES proposes updating vocational training, the university and continuous training in line with the demands of companies. It also advocates strengthening dual training, microcredentials and reskilling programs, as well as promoting STEM vocations and the presence of women in these areas. The organization also calls for a specific plan to integrate artificial intelligence into the education system in a responsible way.
According to the employers' association in a statement, the next legislature will be key to setting Spain's position in the face of the regulatory changes and strategic investments that are being negotiated in Europe, from the future 2028-2034 financial framework to policies on technological sovereignty and competition.
"The next legislature must lay the foundations to attract investment, develop our own technological capabilities and ensure that digitalization translates into greater productivity, employment and prosperity," highlighted the director general of DigitalES, Miguel Sánchez Galindo.
More digital ambition in the European Union
In this context, DigitalES calls for a more ambitious European digital policy, with a regulatory simplification plan that eliminates duplications, provides legal certainty and avoids adding additional national burdens to European obligations.
In Brussels, the employers' association proposes defending a fully operational digital single market and a competition policy that drives investment, sector consolidation and the growth of large European technology companies.
At the same time, DigitalES underlines the importance of preserving Spain’s competitive advantage in infrastructure for the digital economy, where fiber optic coverage reaches 96% of households and 5G coverage exceeds 99% of the population.
Review of fees and support for AI and data
In this area, the organization calls for reviewing fees and levies which, in its view, hold back investment, as well as coordinating digital and energy planning to facilitate the deployment of data centers, cloud services, edge solutions and computing capacity, taking advantage of Spain’s conditions to consolidate itself as a European technology hub.
The employers’ association also calls for programs for the adoption of artificial intelligence and the use of data that make it possible to measure their impact on productivity, with special attention to SMEs, and that include advice, financing and access to computing resources.
Among its proposals is the promotion of scalable use cases, also in emerging technologies such as quantum; the strengthening of tax incentives for R&D&I and the simplification of access to public aid. Likewise, it considers that public procurement should act as a lead customer for innovative solutions, incorporating criteria of quality, security and interoperability.
Cybersecurity, fight against fraud and protection of minors
Finally, the employers’ association presents this agenda with a 2030 horizon to coordinate obligations in cybersecurity matters, strengthen public-private collaboration and support SMEs in their protection against digital threats. The document includes measures to combat digital fraud and reinforce the defense of digital content through a regulatory reform that establishes the obligation of all intermediaries to collaborate in the fight against audiovisual piracy.
Likewise, DigitalES proposes improving the protection of minors through proportionate age-verification systems and greater responsibility on the part of platforms. It also suggests reducing gaps in access and digital skills, increasing the efficiency of networks and data centers, and promoting the repair and refurbishment of technological equipment.