The development of technology and especially artificial intelligence may be slowed down if there is “excessive regulation” in Europe, the president of Indra, Marc Murtra, warned this Thursday during the colloquium talk The impact of technology on society, which He spoke in Barcelona within the framework of the Vanguard Forums. “Technology must be regulated and it is indisputable but if, in my opinion, in Europe we focus too much on regulation, that could generate an undesirable effect,” explained this Thursday the president of one of the main technology companies in Spain.
Murtra gave as an example artificial intelligence, which, he recalled, has developed its entire value chain entirely in the United States. “In Europe we are a generation behind,” he added, before adding that excess regulation on the continent could cause other countries – essentially the US and China – to take the lead once again in the development of this technology. .
And that development is something that will happen in the long term because Murtra does not believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will be “smart” in the next 10 or 15 years. Precisely, artificial intelligence is one of the company's major areas of work in the short term. Using a simile, he explained that artificial intelligence is like toothpaste that has come out of the tube and can no longer be put in, so we must work with it from now on.
The president of Indra explained that the two major business areas in which the company is involved are information technologies and defense. In the first he specifically detailed that the areas in which they work are those with “greater added value, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, the internet of things and means of payment.” “Our strong bet is on Minsait, where we grow at 8% per year and add one point of margin to the EBITDA each year.” The executive recalled that Indra's "jewel is the air traffic control service" and specified that the company is "the second largest air traffic operator."
In the field of defense, Murtra highlighted the company's role in the development of the new combat aircraft developed equally by Germany, France and Spain. This project consists of a sixth generation aircraft plus the accompanying drones, guided by artificial intelligence. “It is a European project that we are proud of and it is an extraordinary opportunity.”
Beyond that project, Murtra is convinced that defense spending in Europe will grow and remain high for a few years. He explained that the US budget is 900,000 million dollars, that of China is 350,000 million, and that of the European Union is 280,000. “We are going towards a greater depth of strategic autonomy,” he said, both in Europe and in Spain.
Asked about the proposal of some shareholders to divide the company into two, technology and defense, Murtra pointed out that “we are reviewing our business strategy in response to many of the changes” and added that there are two options for the future and that it must be solve.
The executive explained before an audience made up of executives, businessmen, politicians and subscribers of La Vanguardia that the company has been dedicated to electoral counting for years. Murtra ruled out that a change from ballots to electronic voting could be carried out in the short term. In his opinion, it is not possible due to a matter of “trust.” Ballots are verifiable, while encrypted votes are not. “Now is not the time” to change the system, he said.
Regarding the company's results, Murtra said that those for 2022 were the best in history and that this year they have achieved record-breaking first two quarters.
The event was attended by Javier Godó, Count of Godó and editor of La Vanguardia, Carlos Godó (CEO of the Godó Group), Ana Godó (editor of Libros de Vanguardia and Vanguardia Dossier). Also present were, among others, Ángel Simón, president of Agbar; Josep Antoni Duran Lleida, president of Asedas; Enrique Lacalle, president of the Equestrian Circle; Luis Hernández de Cabanyes, president of Renta Corporación; Salvador Illa, first secretary of the PSC, and the former mayors of Barcelona Joan Clos and Jordi Hereu, now president of Hispasat.
