16 October 2026
CRAI Library Atrium
Technology is advancing at an ever-faster pace, and we need to stop and think about its real impact on the economy and society. With this aim in mind, on 16 October the University hosted the Deusto Engineering Breakfast entitled ‘Beyond technology: how digital technology is transforming businesses and society’, a morning dedicated to discussing and sharing perspectives, while forging strategic partnerships for the future, with leading figures from business, industry and the public sector. The event forms part of the celebrations marking the 140th anniversary of the University of Deusto and the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering.
The event began with a speech by Juan José Etxeberria, Rector of the University of Deusto, who pointed out that the Faculty, true to its roots, has, for fifty years, supported the industrial and technological transformation of the Basque Country, and that today it lies at the heart of the digital transformation. But, beyond the technology itself and what it can do, the question is who we entrust it to and what criteria we use to make that decision.
The Rector’s answer to that question is clear: "At Deusto, technology must serve people in a balanced and fair way. This requires technical rigour, but also ethics, trust and a humanistic approach. It calls for us to consider those who might be left behind. And it requires talent, because talent cannot be improvised: it is nurtured, and it is nurtured by all of us."
Hence the opportunity presented by this meeting, at which we sat down with companies that are building the country’s digital and energy infrastructure —Telefónica, ADI, NTT DATA, Microsoft and Iberdrola— and with the public authorities responsible for ensuring that this transformation reaches the public in a reliable manner —the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Biscay, Bilbao City Council—and the Basque Innovation Agency, Innobasque. It is only by working together that we can tackle the challenges of the future, and in this respect, collaboration between business, government and universities is not merely an add-on: "It is essential if the Basque Country is to remain a land of opportunities, open to the world and committed to its people," he said.
Participants in the first panel discussion, ‘The impact of digital technology on business and industry’, included Manuel Ángel Alonso, Director of the Northern Region at Telefónica; Alex Etxeberria, Director of ADI; Mikel Hurtado, partner at NTT DATA; Natalia Maeso, MS Cloud Regions Lead – South Europe at Microsoft; and Nico Arcauz, Director of Smart Grids at i-DE (Iberdrola Group).
The discussion highlighted the need to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty to drive the Basque industry forward, as well as the importance of putting people before technological progress. Among the points raised by the panel was that individuals are adopting technology faster than organisations. The challenge for businesses, therefore, is to structure their data and regulate the use of AI without stifling innovation, particularly in SMEs. The digitalisation of the electricity grid to better serve the public was highlighted as an example of practical success. The discussion also addressed talent management, with participants agreeing that housing and quality of life are just as important as professional opportunities in encouraging young people to build their futures in the region.
En el segundo debate, "El impacto de lo digital en la sociedad, desde la administración pública", intervinieron Íñigo Robredo, director de Estrategia Digital del Gobierno Vasco; Javier Bikandi, secretario general de Coordinación de la Diputación Foral de Bizkaia; Javier Garcinuño, director general de Bilbao Ekintza (Ayuntamiento de Bilbao); Javier Benito, director de Telefónica Cantabria-Euskadi-Navarra; y Leire Bilbao, directora general de Innobasque, la Agencia Vasca de la Innovación.
The second panel discussion, “The impact of digital technology on society from a public administration perspective”, featured Íñigo Robredo, Director of Digital Strategy for the Basque Government; Javier Bikandi, Secretary General for Coordination at the Provincial Council of Biscay; Javier Garcinuño, Managing Director of Bilbao Ekintza (Bilbao City Council); Javier Benito, Director of Telefónica Cantabria-Euskadi-Navarra; and Leire Bilbao, Managing Director of Innobasque, the Basque Innovation Agency.
During this session, the speakers analysed the sustainability of the digital model. There was a discussion on long-term technological dependence, and it was argued that this change should be approached from a positive historical perspective, rather than through alarmist rhetoric about people’s worth. Similarly, the need to develop local structures and infrastructure tailored to the socio-economic characteristics of the region was raised, concluding with a message of optimism focused on generating shared value through the public sector.
In his closing remarks, Andoni Eguíluz, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, reminded the audience that people are what give technological innovation its meaning. He urged them to move away from pessimistic narratives and instead convey confidence and hope to younger generations as they face the challenges of the future.
