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- October 18, 20268°
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- October 18, 20268°
New European Call for Artificial Intelligence in Madrid
South Summit 2026 opened in Madrid. Entrepreneurs and officials emphasized that artificial intelligence is not a threat to Europe, but a tool for growth and transformation.
South Summit 2026, which started in Madrid, highlighted artificial intelligence as one of the main topics that will determine Europe's economic future. Leaders of the entrepreneurship ecosystem argued that technology is no longer just a tool but a force that can change the continent's growth model.
The event brings together more than 20,000 participants, approximately 4,900 start-ups, over 2,000 investors, and about 600 international speakers between June 3-5. The organization positions this year's meeting as one of Europe's largest international innovation and entrepreneurship platforms.
Highlights
- South Summit 2026 opened in Madrid with a focus on artificial intelligence.
- Thousands of participants, thousands of startups, and hundreds of speakers attend the event.
- María Benjumea stated that artificial intelligence is not a threat but a tool for growth and improvement.
- Spain was highlighted for its digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence strategy.
- The new AI Forum focuses on enabling entrepreneurs to develop prototypes and business models quickly.
27 Border Warning for Europe
María Benjumea, president and founder of South Summit, said at the opening that Europe needs to reduce barriers for young companies. Benjumea emphasized that artificial intelligence is not a threat but a tool for growth and improvement.
Benjumea expressed that a start-up born in Spain should see Europe as its natural home and that the continent should not be perceived as a structure consisting of 27 separate borders. According to her, many companies still have to move to the United States to grow their business.
Benjumea also drew attention to the rise of artificial intelligence on the investment side. She said that in the last three years, the share of this technology in global venture capital investments increased from 30% to 61%, describing it as a paradigm shift.
Spain Highlighted Its Digital Infrastructure
Óscar López, Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Service, defended Spain's position in the digital economy at the opening. López stated that the OECD raised Spain's growth forecast from 2.1% to 2.2%, attributing this to the preference for digital and green transformation.
The minister said the country allocated 1.5 billion euros to its national artificial intelligence strategy. He noted that Spain has some of Europe's most advanced digital infrastructures with over 96% fiber optic coverage and approximately 94% 5G coverage.
López also said that Spain is among the leading countries in the European Union in monitoring and developing reliable and transparent artificial intelligence. He added that one million SMEs and freelancers receive support for digitalization.
New AI Forum Introduced for the First Time
According to the organization, artificial intelligence is now considered not just as a standalone technology but as a horizontal element transforming different sectors. In line with this approach, South Summit launched the AI Forum area prepared with IE University for the first time this year.
The forum's goal is for entrepreneurs and companies to create artificial intelligence-based prototypes and business models in just a few hours. Benjumea said this technology significantly shortens the distance between idea and implementation.
Lee Newman, Dean of IE Business School, also noted that small teams can now approach capacities previously accessible only to large organizations. Newman stated that the real question is not whether artificial intelligence is possible but how far it is desired to be taken.
Global Names Met in Madrid
Among the notable guests of this year's event are former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, Google X founder Sebastian Thrun, and Female Invest co-founder Anna Hartvigsen. King Felipe VI of Spain, Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and President of the Madrid Autonomous Region Isabel Díaz Ayuso are also expected to attend the event.
Entrepreneur and investor Kim Perell, who took the stage on the opening day, said entrepreneurship is more about discipline in implementation and progress than a big idea. Perell emphasized that moving forward, even without all the answers, is a fundamental part of the entrepreneurial spirit.
Context: South Summit is among the notable annual meetings in Europe in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation. This year's main theme revolved around the role of artificial intelligence in Europe's growth, investment, and competitiveness..
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