The Spanish government continues its race to position itself as a “pioneer” in the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) with the creation of the Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence (AESIA).
However, behind the official statements and declarations of intent, the reality raises serious doubts about their real impact and usefulness in a market that moves much faster than the administrative machinery.
Do not miss this video of Daniel Lacalle in which he makes an analysis of AESIA that is not to be missed.
Supervision or Control?
The AESIA, attached to the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, promises to become the pillar of AI regulation in Spain, supervising high-risk systems and applying sanctions to companies that do not comply with European regulations. According to Royal Decree 729/2023, the agency will have the power to:
- Supervise and sanction artificial intelligence (AI) systems classified as “high risk”. The agency will have sanctioning power and will be able to impose administrative fines of up to €30 million or up to 6% of the total annual worldwide turnover of the previous financial year for offending companies. (I’m afraid…).
- Issue binding reports on the systems used by public and private administrations.
Although the document stresses that its main objective is to minimize risks to fundamental rights such as equality and privacy, it is not clear what defines a “high-risk” system, leaving room for broad and potentially problematic interpretations .
Do you think this regulatory approach can really attract innovation to Spain or will it end up scaring away the most cutting-edge companies?
The headquarters of the Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence (AESIA) is in A Coruña. This was the video of his candidacy. This designation generated some controversy and was the subject of legal disputes. The Galician city was chosen over other candidates, especially Granada, which led the latter to file an appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Spanish Government.
Structure and Budget: A Giant with Mud Feet
AESIA will initially operate with an approved budget of €5 million, funded through the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation until it gets its own budget. This amount should cover the hiring of an expected team of 80 employees (I understand that applying AI to scale without people has not even been considered). and the implementation of programs such as the issuance of voluntary certifications (quality seals) and the creation of test environments (sandboxes) to foster innovation.
On the other hand, the explicit collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, according to the Royal Decree, raises important questions. The agency will coordinate “channels and procedures of a permanent nature” with the bodies responsible for AI in the Ministry, which could include surveillance or security applications. Although the military use of AI is not specified, this relationship raises concerns about the potential of these tools for social control.
Do you think Spain should allocate more resources to foster tech startups and SMEs instead of creating large regulatory bodies?
Ignasi Belda Reig: The Man in Front
At the helm of AESIA is Ignasi Belda Reig, an expert with an outstanding track record in artificial intelligence and scientific entrepreneurship. Born in 1979 in Cocentaina, Alicante, Belda combines a solid academic and professional background:
- A computer engineer and PhD in AI applied to drug design, his career has been internationally recognized, with milestones such as leading Intelligent Pharma, a pioneer in the development of computational technologies for drug discovery.
- He has been general director of the Barcelona Science Park, where he led a multidisciplinary team, and has published numerous studies in prestigious scientific journals.
- His experience also includes teaching at universities such as the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya and awards such as the Prince of Girona Business 2014.
- While his resume is impressive, the question remains: will he be able to apply his experience in a predominantly bureaucratic environment, or will he be constrained by the political and structural dynamics of AESIA?
Do you think an expert like Belda Reig can make a difference in an organization so conditioned by bureaucracy and limited resources?
Objective: The inspections...
Recently, the Spanish government announced that AESIA will assume its full inspection capacity as of August 2025. In addition, it will issue certifications of AI systems through a “quality seals” program. However, the agency will also have the power to impose significant penalties and conduct mandatory inspections, reinforcing the perception that it could become an obstacle to innovation (Source:BOE-A-2023-18911).
AESIA is presented as a necessary body to ensure responsible AI development in Spain, but its design leaves many questions open. The collaboration with Defense, the lack of clear definitions of “high risk” suggest a potential for covert social control.
The future of AI in Spain will not be played out in the offices of regulatory bodies, but in the country’s ability to attract talent, investment and high-impact technological projects. If AESIA does not correct its course, we could be witnessing the birth of a white elephant overseeing an increasingly empty field.
¿What do you think about the real impact of AESIA on the development of artificial intelligence in Spain? Is this the right direction or do we need a change of strategy?
Have a good week!
SOURCES OF INTEREST
The Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence (AESIA) will have new headquarters in A Coruña | Wikipedia | Ignasi Belda Reig Nomination | The Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence will have about 80 employees in 2025 | AESIA is already planning the future implementation of its certifications | The Government initiates the process to choose the headquarters of the Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence
