At the historic Ateneo de Madrid, ideas of the future became realities of the present during the inaugural session of the third edition of Metafuturo, an event organized by Atresmedia that from October 21 to 24 will face the challenges of the future with data and with the help of politicians, businessmen and experts. Do not be afraid of the future or changes. This is the main conclusion reached during the first day that began with the inauguration speech by Silvio González, executive vice president of Atresmedia Corporación. González insisted on this idea: “We must stop and reflect on the relevant issues for society without fear.” But for thisyou have to “have information” which “is the only way to make free and critical decisions.” The data flowed during various tables that addressed challenges such as personal improvement, digital health, the Spain Brand, Artificial Intelligence, the future of the economy, the reduction of working hours or immigration, which must be seen as an opportunity and not as a threat, González defended.
About reducing the working day to 37.5 hoursthe second vice president of the Government and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, in charge of the closing session, announced that the Negotiation is in the final stretch and if the table is convened “ever again” it will go ahead whether it receives the yes or no from the employers. The head of Labor put all the weight on the employers’ association, which she reproached for their lack of proposals and their rejection of aid that is key to supporting small businesses, especially those with less than five employees, in this transition towards a day “that allows for a better life” and that “improves productivity.” “There is a possibility of agreement, the problem is that the employers have to decide if they want to make a move or not”Diaz noted.
According to the Minister of Labor, the measure is supported by ehe increase in productivity in Spain, which has grown by 15%, while the working day has remained at 40 hours since 1983. Díaz also stressed the importance of reinforcing regulation to guarantee digital disconnection and protect mental health, affected by hyperconnection, with digital time control. Furthermore, he addressed the issue of Artificial Intelligence, pointing out that it will not eliminate jobs, but will transform the employment landscape. «Technology allows us to replace hard jobs that are physical, polluting, that make people sick, and generate good jobs»he assured, but for this it will be necessary to have permanently qualified workers. Likewise, he spoke of the civilizational challenge of digital transformation. For this reason, he indicated that his department is working on incorporating the regulation of algorithms into labor legislation, to improve the control of fraud related to unpaid overtime and the use of false self-employed workers.
From the end of the day we return to the beginning. The legend of athletics Carl Lewis, 10-time Olympic medalist, kicked off Metafuturo 2024, with a message focused on self-confidence. “There will always be a new competitor, but we should not be afraid of the future,” he said. “What I have learned from all this, from my entire sporting career, is that the most important thing is resilience,” he added.
From the personal brand, the debate began to focus on the Spain Brand, with the participation of Juan Manuel Cendoya, vice president of Santander Spain; Olga Sánchez, CEO of Axa Spain; Raül Blanco, president of Renfe; chef Dabiz Muñoz; Amaya Valdemoro, former basketball player; and Sara García, molecular biologist and astronaut at the European Space Agency. Everyone agreed that Spain is an engine of change and that is how they see us outside, but we have to believe it. To do this, “brands have to be authentic and approachable, and project it but be true,” defended Jaime López Francos, CEO of the advertising agency Dentsu Spain. This is precisely what the Starlite Group does, a generator of economic impact without forgetting the charitable commitment of its foundation, said Sandra García-Sanjuán, co-founder of the group.
Social commitment was also present in the day thanks to Ousman Umar, Ghanaian entrepreneur, writer and founder of Nasco Feeding Minds, who stressed that “talent is not a question of colors, it is a question of opportunities.” Precisely for this reason, with his project he has launched more than 50 centers that provide training to more than 6,000 young Ghanaians so that they do not have to risk their lives by migrating to Europe. In the field of health, Iñaki Peralta, CEO of Sanitas, assured that digital tools will not replace in-person consultations, but will help to have more accurate and faster diagnoses. Jorge Moscat, COO & Head of Strategy at Tuio, also participated.
On the institutional side, in addition to Díaz, Félix Bolaños, Minister of the Presidency of Justice and Relations with the Cortes, attended to talk about the arrival of AI in Justice, and Carlos Corpo, Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business, who presented the drivers of Spain’s economic future, as well as its challenges. The Tuesday, the second of Metafuturo, will begin with the intervention of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, president of the Popular Party. José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will also participate during the day; Diana Morant, Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities; Margarita Robles, Minister of Defense; Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture; and Salvador Illa, president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, among others.