Spanish startups have the potential to lead the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in strategic sectors such as health, education or engineering. To make it possible, it is essential to strengthen the key skills that allow transforming that potential into a real innovative impact. This is indicated by the new report AI Skills and Occupations in the European Start-Up Ecosystem, prepared by EIT Health and EIT Digital, both belonging to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), an agency of the European Union.
The document presents the largest analysis carried out to date on specialized talent in AI in the European startup ecosystem, with real data of more than 23,000 professionals in 3,600 emerging companies from the continent. The main source of information has been the Skillsync platform, a tool created by EIT Health that allows to map, compare and anticipate the necessary competences to boost the AI economy in Europe.
APPLIED IN HEALTH
The results indicate that the regions with the greatest capacity for innovation are not those with more general computer training, but those that combine technical skills with sectoral knowledge and interdisciplinary competences. Although technical skills in coding, programming and automatic learning are a common denominator, startups that combine them with sectoral knowledge – like health, engineering or production – and broader skills such as project management and communication, are associated with a greater capacity for innovation at the regional level. On the contrary, the regions that depend only on general computer skills are staying behind.
The AI Skills and Occupations report in the European Start-Up Ecosystem has studied the specialized talent of more than 23,000 professionals from 3,600 European startups
“Spanish startups have enormous potential to lead the application of AI in key sectors such as health and education. Data shows that combining technical capabilities with sectoral knowledge and soft skills is what really drives innovation,” says Izabel Alfany, general director of the Eit Health Spain Foundation. “This underlines the importance of connecting our entrepreneurial ecosystem with training, Upskilling and interdisciplinary collaboration focused on real challenges,” he adds.
Spanish startups
The report introduces a group of European regions in six clusters according to its competence profile, in order to guide coordinated policies, collaborative training initiatives and interventions adapted to the territory. Spain is located in the South Cluster, together with other countries of the Mediterranean environment, which stand out for its high prevalence of cognitive skills, education, engineering, manufacturing and construction, health and well -being, as well as social and communication competencies. However, the region presents a lower prevalence in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and basic skills in languages or business management. These weak points are a barrier to the development and scaling of AI solutions, especially in regulated sectors such as health or educational. To undertake a specific investment in these areas could close innovation gaps.
“The competition in general computer skills is not enough to boost innovation. To truly unlock the potential of AI, we must go beyond basic digital skills and promote advanced and interdisciplinary abilities that respond to the real needs and opportunities of each sector,” says Dr. Magí Lluch-Ariet, responsible for Eit Health data.
In addition, a general lack of competencies in regulation and audiovisual technologies, two critical areas for the adoption of AI in areas such as health, for example, in clinical practice or design of health devices are detected.
Another conclusion of the report is that university universities and suppliers must collaborate more closely. While universities provide basic and transverse training, it is the non -university training centers that offer more technical and employment -oriented courses. The combination of both approaches is necessary for a training adapted to the market.
