On October 7, the Government presented the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, understood as a country project that guides the modernization of the Spanish economy, the recovery of economic growth and job creation, the solid, inclusive and resilient reconstruction after the COVID crisis, responding to the challenges of the next decade. The new Recovery Fund Next Generation EU allow Spain to mobilise an unprecedented volume of investment. Indeed, the European Council agreement foresees funding of up to 140 billion euros in transfers and credits over the next six years, 11% of GDP in 2019.
The mobilisation of such an important volume of resources opens up an extraordinary opportunity for our country, comparable to the processes of economic transformation produced as a result of joining the European Communities in the 1980s or the creation of the European Cohesion Fund in the mid-1990s. It will allow not only the overcoming of the crisis and the recovery of employment, but it will facilitate the modernization of our economy, so that this recovery is green, digital, inclusive and social. Transformations and structural reforms aimed at the transition to a climate neutral, sustainable, circular economy and society, respectful of the limits imposed by the natural environment and efficient in the use of resources will be implemented.
On July 23, 2020 The President of the Government presented the strategy “Digital Spain 2025”. Within this strategy and aware of both its technological importance and the social impact of its development and adoption, artificial intelligence was included as a key technology in its ninth axis.
Derived from it, The Government presented on December 2, 2020 the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, in order to promote its development, thus laying the foundations for the creation of an ecosystem of excellence in artificial intelligence that houses scientific research and innovation, the development of capabilities and talent, the deployment of data platforms and technological infrastructures, their integration into the economic fabric, the enhancement of their use in the public sector and the establishment of an ethical and regulatory framework.
This document introduces a series of premises so that companies and entities can send their expressions of interest to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, so that it evaluates what type of needs exist for the integration of AI in value chains in a way that allows the economic fabric to be transformed.
The entities participating in this manifestation of interest must take into consideration the following conditions:
- The type of proposal for which interest is expressed must be included in technological maturity levels of grade 6, 7, 8 and 9. There are many bibliographies that explain the concept of the Technological Maturity Level (TRL). As an example that illustrates it, the following link is provided: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq/2890.
- No economic limits are set as to the amount of the proposals submitted.
- The presentation of expressions of interest is open to all types of private and public agents, taking into account companies of all sizes. These expressions of interest will correspond to entities, which may be related to the technological sector or belong to any other sector, that plan to incorporate artificial intelligence into their commercial activity.
- The proposals will be presented individually by each agent and anonymously.
The information collected through these expressions of interest has the sole objective of helping to define the strategic lines and guide the action of this Secretary of State in the execution of the plans from the aforementioned European funds. This expression of interest is not carried out within the framework of any procedure of contracting or grant called or to be called and in no case generates preferential right to financing, nor any commitment by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation.
Once the deadline for the reception of expressions of interest associated with this document is over, the proposals presented will be analyzed, to subsequently articulate the most appropriate instruments of public private collaboration. In any case, the public-private collaboration tools that are designed will respect the legal framework on State Aid of the European Union.
The non-presentation of a statement of interest or response to the consultation will not limit the possibility of presenting proposals in a possible future call for proposals.
The calls after this Manifestation of Interest will be subject at all times to the criteria of publicity, concurrence, transparency and non-discrimination.