Digital transformation is no longer an exclusive matter for IT departments; it has become the central axis of business competitiveness and economic sovereignty. This is the view of Miguel Sánchez Galindo, Director General of DigitalES, who in an interview with ComputerWorld analyzes the challenges and opportunities facing Spain and Europe at a critical moment for digitalization. His message is clear: workers have the right to know the algorithms used in companies, a demand that positions algorithmic transparency as a pillar of digital rights in the workplace.

Europe's Diagnosis: Lost Leadership and an Unbridgeable Gap in AI

Sánchez Galindo acknowledges that Spain has done its homework in digital infrastructure and AI adoption, ranking seventh worldwide according to a Stanford report. However, the European outlook is concerning: while the United States has invested 20 times more than Europe in AI over the past decade, the Old Continent lacks its own large-scale models. "Spain has no major AI model," he laments, noting that the gap is so deep that closing it is "very complicated." Faced with this reality, he proposes a strategy of "open digital sovereignty" that combines developing domestic capabilities with alliances with major international tech companies, as is already done in quantum computing with IBM and Fujitsu.

This technological dependency is not a new phenomenon, but it has worsened with the emergence of generative AI. The executive warns that Europe has missed the digital innovation train over the past 20 years, while the United States and Asia have advanced "on all fronts." The solution lies in increasing investment, but also in simplifying the regulatory framework, which is currently "complex" and fragmented, with 34 telecom operators in Europe compared to three in the United States. Market consolidation and the creation of a single capital market are, in his view, necessary conditions to compete globally.

Legislation: Brake or Guarantee?

Contrary to the opinion of other business associations, Sánchez Galindo argues that legislation does not hinder innovation but rather organizes it. "What hinders is having a fragmented market and not having a single capital market," he states. The Digital Networks Act (DNA) and the Digital Omnibus package are examples of necessary regulation, albeit excessively complex. "Legislation must incorporate simplicity in its design," he demands, criticizing that the AI Act will be simplified before some measures even come into force.

At the national level, the CNMC is not yet fully empowered as the Digital Services Coordinator, delaying the implementation of key regulations such as the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. For Sánchez Galindo, these laws are essential to prevent monopolies and protect consumers, but their effectiveness depends on agile and coordinated execution.

AI and Employment: Destruction or Transformation?

One of the most controversial points of the interview is the impact of AI on the labor market. Sánchez Galindo is optimistic: "Technological advances have always had a positive impact on job creation." However, he acknowledges that generative AI is changing the structure of workforces. According to DigitalES's report 'Radiography of Emerging Jobs and Sectors 2026', demand for junior programmers fell by 33% in the first quarter of 2026, while demand for seniors increased by 15%. At the same time, hybrid profiles—combining functional knowledge with AI model management—have multiplied by almost 200%.

The executive insists that AI should not be seen as an excuse for layoffs, but as a tool to do "much more with the same people." Companies that adopt this technology can achieve new levels of productivity, but algorithmic transparency is essential for this. "Workers have the right to know the algorithms used in companies," he emphasizes, linking this right to Spain's Digital Rights Charter, in which DigitalES has actively participated.

This transparency applies not only to the workplace but also to the protection of citizens, especially minors. Sánchez Galindo advocates for effective parental controls, age verification tools, and content labeling on the internet to prevent the digital world from becoming "a jungle."

The Challenge of Investment and Dual-Use Technologies

Geopolitics has reshaped investment priorities. The increase in defense spending—in Spain alone exceeding €10.4 billion—could divert funds from digitalization, but Sánchez Galindo sees an opportunity in dual-use technologies, which benefit both defense and the tech sector. "Spain has been right to promote dual-use technologies," he says, citing examples such as strategic telecommunications to improve communication security.

In the telecommunications sector, consolidation is key to increasing profitability and enabling investments in infrastructure such as 5G Standalone or small cells. The DNA, although necessary, leaves "too open" the co-responsibility of big tech in maintaining these infrastructures, a debate the sector has been raising for years.

Beyond AI: The Bet on Quantum Computing

DigitalES is not only focused on AI. Quantum computing is another major bet, with a public-private agreement with Red.es worth €7.5 million to develop use cases in telecommunications, health, and energy. In telecommunications, work is being done on new encryption systems resistant to quantum computers; in health, the analysis of imaging and genome diagnostics is accelerated; and in energy, port logistics are optimized and risks in refineries are reduced.

For Sánchez Galindo, Spain's main challenge is to continue accelerating technological adoption and increase the number of STEM professionals. "Almost 30% of Spain's GDP comes from digitalization, but the challenge is to make this percentage even higher," he concludes. Training and promoting technological vocations are, in his opinion, key to ensuring the Spanish economy fully leverages the potential of digitalization.

In a context where generative AI and quantum computing are redefining the rules of the game, algorithmic transparency and digital rights emerge as indispensable conditions for a fair and sustainable transformation. As Sánchez Galindo rightly points out, workers must not only adapt to changes but also have the right to understand and control the tools that govern their work environment.

Original source: ComputerWorld. Analysis and adaptation by ForgeNEX.