During the fifteenth edition of South Summit taking place in Madrid, the focus was on the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) as a growth tool rather than as a threat. Speakers advocated for a united Europe, capable of overcoming its borders to support the rise of start-ups and take advantage of the opportunities offered by this technology. María Benjumea, president and founder of the event, emphasized the need to eliminate barriers to foster economic development on a European scale.
An international event centered on AI
South Summit 2026, held from June 3 to 5, gathered over 20,000 participants, including nearly 4,900 start-ups and more than 2,000 investors. Under the slogan “AI Convergence,” the event highlighted AI as a key player in redefining the economy and technology in Europe. Discussions revealed that AI is no longer just an emerging technology but a true lever for transformation on a global scale.
AI as a growth engine
At the heart of the inauguration, María Benjumea expressed her vision that “artificial intelligence is not a threat, but a tool for growth and improvement.” She called on Europe to remove the legal and administrative obstacles preventing start-ups from freely developing. The idea of perceiving Europe as a unified territory rather than a collection of 27 distinct borders was a central point of her speech. The president also reminded that some companies choose to establish themselves in the United States to scale up, highlighting the urgency to act in Europe.
The potential of AI investment
Another striking point of the event was the rapid evolution of investments in the AI sector. In just three years, the share of AI in global venture capital investment rose from 30% to 61%. This figure, described as a “paradigm shift,” reflects the acceleration of the development of this technology. Governments and economic actors must prepare to integrate these changes so as not to be left behind.
Spain’s position in the digital economy
The Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, took the opportunity to highlight Spain’s progress in digital transformation. With a national budget of 1.5 billion euros allocated to the artificial intelligence strategy, Spain positions itself as a pillar in developing a “reliable and open” AI. López also pointed out that the country has some of the most advanced digital infrastructures in Europe, a fiber-optic coverage of over 96%, and nearly 94% in 5G.
A platform for entrepreneurs
South Summit inaugurated this year the “AI Forum,” a space dedicated to helping entrepreneurs quickly develop prototypes and business models based on AI. Benjumea highlighted AI’s ability to reduce the distance between the idea and its concrete realization. Indeed, this technology has the potential to transform the entrepreneurial landscape by making resources that were previously reserved for much larger organizations accessible.
A gathering of international experts
Prominent figures such as former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta and Google X founder Sebastian Thrun came to share their vision and experiences. Kim Perell, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, also shared her perspective on entrepreneurship, insisting that succeeding requires not just brilliant ideas but also discipline in execution and the ability to move forward even in the face of uncertainty.
A pathway to a collective future
The discussions at South Summit 2026, centered on European collaboration and AI, emphasized the need to move forward together to build a better digital future. The leaders present demonstrated that artificial intelligence can be an opportunity to unite Europe rather than create further divisions. By fostering innovation and cooperation, Europe has a chance to take on a leadership role in the global economy.
