The Expert Forum consolidates Zamora’s position as a benchmark in data spaces and digital innovation
The Expert Forum “AI and the Sustainable Data Ecosystem” brought together professionals, institutions and companies in Zamora yesterday to discuss the present and future of artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty and data spaces. The gathering, organised by the Zamora AI Open Space, coordinated by AIR Institute in collaboration with GAIA-X Hub Spain, took place at the Alhóndiga Cultural Centre and attracted a large audience.
The day unfolded in a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere, with real experiences, strategic frameworks and practical cases shared to show how intelligent data management is already transforming key sectors in Castilla y León.
The event was attended by Rosa Cuesta, Director-General for Economic Policy and Competitiveness of the Regional Government of Castilla y León, who highlighted the growing role of AI and data in enhancing the competitiveness of the region, something also taking shape in Zamora. She was joined by Diego Bernardo Rosas, Councillor for Finance at Zamora City Council.
Following the institutional welcome, Francisca Rubio (GAIA-X Hub Spain) set the context for the forum’s objectives. She was followed by Javier Gonzalo Andrés (AIR Institute Zamora), who presented the Smart Data Space Innovation Centre of Zamora, an initiative aimed at promoting advanced data use across the region.
Next, various speakers, including Ana Isabel Sánchez Iglesias (Provincial Council of Zamora) and Marian García Prieto (i4life R&D), explained how working with data is helping to improve services, monitor the territory and support local residents—particularly older adults—through real, applied solutions.
Francisca Rubio, Manager of GAIA-X Hub Spain, then delved further into European data spaces, highlighting their contribution to digital sovereignty, interoperability and the creation of shared, people-centred value: “In the United States, data is mostly owned by large companies; in China, by the government; in Europe, by each citizen and business—we need to ensure it stays that way.”
One of the most anticipated moments was the presentation by Noelia García, Information Analysis and Management Control at Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid, who demonstrated how highly sensitive data is managed and analysed to improve healthcare and biomedical research.
Afterwards, David Ayala Dulanto (CTME) presented the interoperability standards of the IDSA, essential for ensuring connections between data ecosystems and guaranteeing secure, reliable and governed information exchange.
Use Cases in Castilla y León
The Open Panel on Use Cases and Future Trends brought together companies from various sectors to present concrete examples of how they are applying AI and data analytics to improve efficiency, traceability and capabilities. Participants included: Robin Piñel Gago, SERBATIC; Miguel Sánchez Sánchez, COBADÚ; Jorge Lorenzo Fernández, TECOZAM; and Julen Torralba Ajuriaguerra, CTME. The panel was moderated by Francisco Javier Díaz Rincón, Zamora Chamber of Commerce.
Speakers agreed that the data economy and AI are already part of the daily operations of many organisations in the province and are becoming a key element for their growth.
The following talk, given by José Manuel Martínez García from SCAYLE Supercomputing Castilla y León, offered an overview of the technologies driving this transformation—from advanced analytics to generative AI—showing real examples of how they can optimise business processes and decision-making.
The session continued with the Open Panel, where technology companies from different fields presented their projects related to data and artificial intelligence. Speakers included Francisco Álvarez Orjales, INDRA; Alberto Toribio, TIS Consultoría; Manel Fernández García, Nexus Geographic; Gema Cruz, Undanet; and Juan Zamoro, Grupo Andrés.
To conclude, a strategic panel on Castilla y León brought together Álvaro Fanego Lobo, SCAYLE, and David Ayala, CTME, moderated by Jesús Ángel Román Gallego from the Higher Polytechnic School of Zamora. Together, they outlined their vision of Castilla y León as a territory of innovation. They offered a shared perspective on the future of data in the region, emphasising the importance of public–private collaboration, specialised talent development and the practical application of AI in productive sectors.
The event facilitated networking, synergies and new cooperation opportunities among public bodies, technology companies, research centres and professionals. It also made clear that Zamora is playing an increasingly important role in the development of AI and the data economy, and that joint efforts between institutions, businesses and citizens will be vital to consolidating this position.