The Cátedra de Empresa y Humanismo of the University of Valencia (UV) and SEIDOR They presented the results of the 'Barometer of Artificial Intelligence in Business in the Valencian Community'The report reveals a picture marked by pragmatism: Valencian businesses are focusing on automation to gain productivity, but acknowledge a acute skills deficit which compromises the strategic deployment of this technology.
Automation versus strategic value: a commitment to efficiency
The Barometer data shows that AI in the Valencian Community currently has a predominantly tactical focus. While organizations attach great importance to 6.5 out of 10 for the future of business with AIHowever, the reality of its implementation remains on the operational surface: The 56% of corporations sees the greatest potential in the automation of mechanical tasks, ahead of innovation in business models.
The Valencian SME: the challenge of unequal adoption
The Barometer reveals that the rise of AI is not uniform. While large corporations are leading the investment, the impact of this technology on small businesses is still minimal. Given that the majority of businesses in the Valencian Community are SMEs, the report warns that a lack of scale and limited access to expert professionals are acting as critical obstacles. For this type of company, AI is not yet a determining factor, highlighting the need for support policies to prevent an irreversible digital divide in the region.
The human factor: a skills deficit that breeds mistrust
This perspective is compounded by a concern for human capital. Companies not only suffer from a lack of external talent, but the report also detects a growing fear of... loss of professional skillsThere is a growing awareness of the risk that over-delegation to algorithms will ultimately erode the technical judgment and expertise of current workforces.
Despite this diagnosis, fear of job displacement remains low (4.6 out of 10), which reinforces the idea that AI is perceived as a tool that today's professionals still need to learn to lead in order not to lose their critical skills.
Confidence in finding qualified talent barely passes (5.2/10). This shortage of specialized profiles coexists with growing but cautious investment: 641% of Valencian companies are increasing their spending on AI, although most are doing so by less than 101%. This scenario demonstrates that, without adequate training, the financial capital allocated to technology risks not translating into real growth for the regional productive sector.
Voices of the day
Francisco José SoriaThe Director General of Economics has reminded everyone that success will depend on "whoever implements it best, not first." Meanwhile, Francisco Javier Balfagón (DGTIC) has advocated for a realistic approach focused on training and transparency to overcome this skills gap.
The rector of the University of Valencia, Juan Luis GandíaHe emphasized that the University is the natural setting to address this talent shortage from a humanistic perspective. Finally, Ignasi Pons, director of SEIDOR In Levante, it has concluded that the Barometer should help companies move from simple automation to "implementing projects that provide real and strategic value," ensuring that technology enhances—and does not diminish—Valencian talent.
