The Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, participated in the I International Meeting on Digital Rights held in Barcelona, where he held a dialogue with the professor from the University of Oxford, Carissa Véliz, about the future of social networks and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
During the conversation, López emphasized the need to establish global governance for AI and warned that the global south could become a mere archive benefiting a small group of powerful individuals if action is not taken quickly.
The minister stressed that the discussion on digital rights transcends technology and becomes an essential political issue. “We are debating sovereignty and democracy. Should digital rights exist? Who should define them?”, he questioned. He stated that Spain is leading this discussion, promoting regulations around AI and data management, and advocating for a model that prioritizes ethics and trust over speed and cost.
López also highlighted the importance of investment in technology and education to achieve digital sovereignty. He reported that the Government has allocated more than 30 billion euros to the creation of chip factories and training in AI at universities. Additionally, he mentioned efforts to regulate the sustainability of data centers and promote supercomputing in Spain. “It is not just about establishing norms, but ensuring a future where technology serves democracy and not unchecked power,” he concluded.