Madrid, Jan 20 (EFE).\u2013 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez Monday accused “technocracy” of wielding “omnipotent” control over social networks to influence public debate and government decisions, urging Europe to defend democracy against this growing threat.<\/p>
Speaking at an event on artificial intelligence (AI), S\u00e1nchez delivered a pointed message about the role of AI and social media in shaping modern democracies.<\/p>
“Democracy is not a euro, a vote; it is not a tweet, a vote. It is a person, a vote. Europe must rise to this challenge and defend democracy,” S\u00e1nchez said, highlighting his concern about external control over democratic processes.<\/p>
The event, attended by entrepreneurs, tech researchers, and several ministers, coincided with the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who recently appointed Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, to his administration.<\/p>
S\u00e1nchez criticized the potential for AI to serve conflicting agendas, warning it could either respect citizens\u2019 rights or undermine them, reduce inequalities or exacerbate them, and empower people or work against them.<\/p>
Describing the challenges posed by AI as “particularly serious,” S\u00e1nchez stressed the need for a European vision. “We must propose alternatives and determine what kind of AI we want and the role it should play in society.”<\/p>
The event also featured the launch of the HispanIA 2040 project, which outlines Spain\u2019s potential for AI development and strategies for its deployment. S\u00e1nchez highlighted measures to ensure AI aligns with democratic values and addresses societal challenges.<\/p>
The prime minister announced the launch of Alia, an open-source public AI platform available in Spanish and other official languages of Spain. Designed to democratize access to AI technology, Alia is a significant step in Spain\u2019s efforts to harness AI for public good.<\/p>
The government has allocated 150 million euros to enhance AI integration in businesses, with 20 million euros specifically directed toward small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). EFE <\/p>
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