Artificial intelligence is no longer the exclusive domain of laboratories and large technology companies; it has now entered the academic, professional, and political agenda in Spain. In the coming months, several institutions have scheduled activities addressing topics ranging from media bias to the automation of tourism tasks and the teaching of languages ​​with generative tools. The common thread is the need to develop critical thinking skills , not just to learn how to use software.
At the same time, the debate on how to regulate and monitor these systems continues to grow. The European Union is moving forward with the implementation of the AI ​​Regulation, while the Spanish government has presented the IA360 Plan, a strategy that combines security, computing, and data sovereignty. Training thus emerges as a key element in preventing historical biases from being replicated in machines.
A packed agenda of seminars and conferences
The Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE) and the Faculty of Information Sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid are organizing the conference 'Journalism, Disability, and Artificial Intelligence: The Narrative Inherited by the Machine'. It will take place on September 30, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 13:00 PM, in the Luis GarcÃa Berlanga Conference Room, in both in-person and online formats. The event will analyze how stereotypes and media underrepresentation can end up in training data and be amplified by algorithms.
Journalist, presenter, and professor Laila Jiménez will host a program divided into three segments. The first, on media narratives, will feature José Antonio Solves from CEU Cardenal Herrera University. The second, focusing on technology, will be presented by Adrián Moreno, a specialist in cyber intelligence and digital communication. The third will be a panel discussion with specialized journalists such as David MartÃnez Menayo (Servimedia), Merche Borja (20 Minutos), Guillermo Infantes (Newtral.es), Belén Remacha (El PaÃs), and Manuel MartÃnez (RNE).
The event is aimed at journalism students, working journalists, and individuals with public influence. Topics will include reporting on people with disabilities, language choices, editorial criteria, the pressure of algorithms, and concrete measures for newsrooms. Registration is open, and the event is funded by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030's 0,7% allocation.
Courses to bring AI to tourism and classrooms
In the Valencian Community, Invat.tur is holding the third edition of its 'Artificial Intelligence Applied to Tourism Management' course this November. The training is in-person and takes place in Castellón, Alicante, Benidorm, and Valencia. There are two levels: basic in Castellón (November 2-4) and Alicante (November 16-18); and advanced in Benidorm (November 23-25) and Valencia (November 30-December 1). Classes run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., totaling nine hours at each location.
The goal is for professionals and destination managers to learn how to automate tasks and create autonomous AI agents capable of searching for information and answering queries. To ensure reliable results, the importance of establishing limits and controls is emphasized. Places are limited , and registration is managed through the forms provided by each location. Inquiries can be directed to invattur@turismecv.es.
The University of Valencia is also participating with a hybrid seminar led by Lilit Kharatian from the University of Heidelberg. Titled 'GenAI in Language Education: From Prompting to Pedagogical Practice', it will be held on October 8, 2026, at 15:00 PM in the Faculty of Philology, Translation and Communication's Assembly Room. The session connects prompting techniques with their practical application in the classroom.
The seminar is part of Educational Innovation Project 4420568 and the AI-LANG CIGE2026/38 project, coordinated by Anabel MartÃnez Hernández, Begoña Clavel Arroitia, and LucÃa Bellés-Calvera. It will cover activity planning, the creation and adaptation of materials, writing support, and feedback. The seminar will also explore the role of teachers and digital competence in AI-mediated environments. Attendance can be in person or via Zoom, with prior registration required.
Specific grades for a market that continues to grow
In the Basque Country and Navarre, university offerings have expanded to include specific degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) was a pioneer at the national level with its Bachelor's Degree in Artificial Intelligence, taught at the Faculty of Computer Science on the Gipuzkoa campus in San Sebastián. The degree program comprises 240 ECTS credits and has a limited number of places available.
Their training focuses on machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, intelligent robotics, and algorithmic optimization. In Bilbao, the University of Deusto offers a Bachelor's Degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, which combines software engineering, predictive analytics, and model deployment. It incorporates instruction in English and offers trilingual pathways.
In Pamplona, ​​the Public University of Navarre offers a Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, with a strong emphasis on mathematics and statistics. Its curriculum includes probabilistic modeling, machine learning, and big data analytics, with applications in biotechnology, industry, and agri-food. This offering is complemented by specialized programs from Mondragon University and the activities of the Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DATAI) at the University of Navarre.
A common question is how an AI degree differs from a Computer Engineering degree. During the first few years, they share programming and computing, but specialized tracks add more mathematics and statistics. Linear algebra, calculus, probability, and statistics are fundamental for neural networks, deep learning, and optimization. While Computer Engineering covers operating systems, networks, software, and hardware, AI and data engineering degrees focus on training models, natural language processing, and data analysis.
Ethics, biases and European rules
The new programs incorporate ethics and governance content. They examine the explainability of models, the identification and mitigation of biases, and the European AI Regulation, known as the AI ​​Act. The COCEMFE and UCM conference focuses on the same problem : stereotypes that have persisted in the media for decades can be passed on to algorithms if the data and approaches are not corrected.
On the political front, the IA360 Plan presented by the Spanish government at La Moncloa (the Prime Minister's official residence) advocates for a cybersecurity shield and the oversight of the most offensive frontier models. The government asserts that self-regulation is ineffective and criticizes barriers to entry that seek to consolidate monopolies. However, the plan also raises concerns because it adopts categories originating from the industry itself and because the European Regulation entrusts the supervision of general-purpose models to the European AI Office, not to national authorities.
The European regulatory landscape is progressing with delays. Implementing powers for general-purpose models came into force on August 2, 2026, but the Digital Omnibus Agreement, approved by Parliament on June 16, 2026, and finalized by the Council on June 29, postponed obligations for high-risk systems. Annex III is delayed until December 2, 2027, and the integration of AI into regulated products until August 2, 2028. Spain is a member of that Council.
Also on the table is the reform of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). A draft leaked by Noyb includes Article 88 bis, which would justify the processing of personal data in the development or operation of AI systems under the guise of legitimate interest. This could allow the use of data collected over years without requiring consent , something that clashes with warnings about bias and rights.
From the classroom to industry: real-world applications
Education doesn't end at university. In the Basque Country and Navarre, these studies connect with a productive sector that already applies AI in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0. There are projects in predictive maintenance, quality control using machine vision, and supply chain optimization, with a presence in the automotive and machine tool industries. Students can engage with real-world problems through curricular internships and final degree projects.
Health and biomedicine are another field of application. Medical image analysis, bioinformatics, and drug screening are developed in centers such as Navarrabiomed, CIMA, and CIC bioGUNE. This ecosystem is further enriched by initiatives such as the Basque Artificial Intelligence Center (BAIC), the BRTA network (with Tecnalia, Vicomtech, and Tekniker), and the Navarra Digital Innovation Hub (with IRIS and ADITECH). Further specialization, through industrial master's and doctoral programs, is gaining importance in a rapidly evolving sector.
In tourism, the Invat.tur course aims to improve the daily operations of businesses and destinations. In language education, the University of Valencia's seminar addresses how to use generative AI to plan and adapt materials and provide feedback without compromising pedagogical principles. Music also features in the discussion : UPF researcher Xavier Serra will explain how AI generates songs, imitates voices, creates accompaniments, and analyzes collections, as well as the challenges related to creativity, rights, and the distinction between human and artificial works. A cocktail reception will follow the talk, and registration is via a form.
What to look for before enrolling
When choosing a degree, it's worth considering more than just the title. An affinity for mathematics is important, as is comfort with programming and problem-solving. Class sizes, access to laboratories, and the opportunity to participate in projects also matter. Degrees with limited enrollment often offer closer student support.
Learning doesn't necessarily end with graduation. The fast pace of the industry means that further specialization is increasingly important, with master's degrees, industrial doctoral programs, and collaborations with companies and technology centers. Before deciding, it's worth reviewing the curriculum, the student profile each program seeks, and the career paths available.
The Spanish AI landscape combines conferences on journalism and disability, seminars for language teachers, tourism management courses, university degrees in the Basque Country and Navarre, and a public plan that aims to regulate security and computing. The common thread among all these initiatives is clear: technology is advancing faster than the standards being met , so training, transparency, and regulation have become the battleground. It remains to be seen how this effort will translate into corrected biases, better-prepared classrooms, and public decisions that are not solely dependent on the major manufacturers.
