The Basque Country Applied AI Conference. ApplAI.
The annual event dedicated to Artificial Intelligence in the Basque Country.
The annual event dedicated to Artificial Intelligence in the Basque Country.
SAVE THE DATE COMING SOON
PREVIOUS EDITION
- +600 PARTICIPANTS
- 34 SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS
- 29 SPEAKERS
- +600 PARTICIPANTS
- 34 SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS
- 29SPEAKERS
Download the featured images from ApplAI26 here
The Basque Country Applied AI Conference. ApplAI.
A unique opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, trends and experiences in the field of Artificial Intelligence in the Basque Country. A region established as a reference in the application of AI. Here are three reasons not to miss it.
The most relevant voices in the AI landscape
ApplAI brings together local and international Artificial Intelligence experts and references. Hear from the most influential minds who are driving their organisation’s AI-powered industrial or corporate transformation, sharing their insights, experiences and visions for the present and future of this technology.
Trends and keys to boost your organisation with AI
ApplAI goes beyond exploring the future of this technology. The talks delve into the essential keys to implementing effective and ethical AI, focusing on data strategy, talent development, cultural change and responsible practices. Learn how these areas can accelerate the adoption of AI in your organisation and enhance its growth.
Companies that are making an impact with this technology
ApplAI is possible thanks to the support of organisations that are committed to Artificial Intelligence as a driver of growth and competitiveness. Meet the companies that are helping to consolidate the Basque Country as a benchmark region in Applied AI.
SPONSORING ENTITIES ApplAI26
URREA CONNECT
URREA BRAND
ZILARRA
COLLABORATE
SPEAKERS FOR THE 2026 EDITION
ApplAI feature the participation of prominent leaders in Artificial Intelligence, from international references to key figures in the local ecosystem.
CEO of Grupo Eroski
Rosa has over 30 years of professional experience in the distribution sector, beginning in 1994 at Vegalsa and with a strong connection to Eroski since 1997. Her career has progressed steadily from roles such as Marketing Director at Vegalsa and then at Eroski, through management of key areas such as franchises, self-service stores, and the transformation of the ‘Contigo’ business model.
Between 2010 and 2014, she managed the Finance Department, leading refinancing and divestment processes. Currently, in addition to being CEO, she holds other important positions in the business world, such as Vice President of the General Council of MONDRAGON and board member of AECOC.
CTO and Co-Founder of Lur Nova, Advanced AI Solutions
Rodrigo Martínez Martín is Co-Founder and CTO of Lur Nova, an artificial intelligence engineering based in Donostia-San Sebastián specialized in secure, sovereign and private business solutions. He leads the development of an enterprise AI platform that allows organizations to deploy intelligent agents autonomously on their own LLM infrastructure, without compromising the privacy or control of their data.
With extensive experience in generative AI architectures, multi-agent systems and regulatory compliance, Rodrigo works hand in hand with companies and institutions to integrate artificial intelligence in a practical, auditable way and aligned with European values of technological sovereignty.
Head of the artificial intelligence commission at the University of Deusto
Computer engineer, master’s degree in information security and Expert program in the Ethics of Digitalization and Applied Artificial Intelligence. Currently, director of digital communication at the University of Deusto and head of the Artificial Intelligence Commission. Her areas of work are focused on the analysis of how to incorporate the gender perspective in research, the study of intersectional biases in Artificial Intelligence as well as the dissemination of the “leaky pipeline” through which we lose female talent in STEM degrees. Member of the European Commission’s Gendered Innovations expert group, led by Stanford University, to analyze the impact of not incorporating the gender perspective in Artificial Intelligence. Author, together with Pablo Garaizar, of the book “Artificial intelligence explained to all audiences” (A Fin de Cuentos publishing house), also available in Catalan and Basque.
Chief Growth Officer at Multiverse Computing
Chief Growth Officer at Multiverse Computing, leading the growth and innovation team. Chemical engineer with a master’s degree in professional development, and over 7 years of experience in R&D project management, including applying for and managing grants and tax incentives for innovation activities.
Director at Chillida Leku Museum
The grandson of sculptor Eduardo Chillida, he is currently the Development Director of Chillida Leku, a member of the Eduardo Chillida Estate, and directed the Eduardo Chillida 100th Anniversary commemoration (Eduardo Chillida Foundation – Pilar Belzunce). He holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the European University of Madrid and has continued his business management training at IESE Business School (PDD). He also teaches Leadership at ESADE and regularly writes articles and participates in conferences about Eduardo Chillida, Pilar Belzunce, and their legacy.
General Director of Innkia Artificial Intelligence S.L.
Gorka Artola Beobide (Donostia 1977). General Director of INNKIA Artificial Intelligence. Industrial Engineer from TECNUN (2001) and PDD from IESE (2015), he has more than 20 years of experience as a manager specialized in R&D and innovation management, the transfer of technology to the market and the promotion of technological startups both from the public sector, where he was Director of Innovation and Transfer of the UPV/EHU, and from the private sector where he has held, among other positions, the Deputy General Directorate of BANTEC Consultores or the position of IKERLAN Market Manager.
Professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid
Asunción Gómez-Pérez is a full member of the Royal Spanish Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the European Academy of Sciences. She is Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. She served as Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Doctoral Studies, was a member of the Science and Technology Council of the Madrid Region, and a member of the group of experts that advised the Spanish Government on AI and Big Data. In 2019, she participated in the Spanish R&D Strategy for AI. She has been a member of the Spanish Government’s AI Advisory Council since 2020. She has received the ARITMEL National Computer Science Award, the Ada Byron National Award for Women in Technology, the Know Square Award for her career in dissemination, the “Professional, Computer Engineer” National Award, and the Gold Medal of the Province of Badajoz (2024) and of Extremadura. His name appears in the top 2% of the world’s most cited scientists across all fields of knowledge at Stanford University.
Investor and Tech Advisor at Truly Global
Anna N. Schlegel is a top-tier global technology executive with over three decades of experience leading international expansion, digital platform growth, and the global transformation of leading technology companies. She has spearheaded the internationalization and scaling of major platforms in Silicon Valley, working with Fortune 500 companies and teams distributed across every continent.
She is a global leader in technology, innovation, and women’s leadership, and currently chairs Women in Localization, the largest global organization in the sector, with over 18,000 members worldwide. Her career combines strategy, execution, and a global vision, connecting technology, business, and people.
She is currently a member of the Parliament of Catalonia, where she promotes policies on digital sovereignty, innovation, cybersecurity, and economic competitiveness, bringing a unique perspective that bridges Silicon Valley, Europe, and institutional leadership.
Founder – AI Strategy & Transformation Advisor at MUTATIA
Senior AI executive with over 20 years of experience helping organizations govern and scale AI in complex and uncertain environments. Her focus: how AI transforms organizations and demands leadership styles that, beyond technology, are based on accountability, judgment, and organizational design.
Founder of MUTATIA, she advises leaders and boards of directors on strategy, governance, and organizational readiness for AI adoption. She has led large-scale AI transformations in organizations, including the creation of the AI Transformation and Governance framework at AWS. She also founded an AI startup later acquired by EY. She combines her technical background with a strategic and human perspective: her multidisciplinary background integrates research, music, theater, poetry, and philosophy, conceiving AI transformation as systems, people, and decisions aligned so that technology amplifies clarity, not noise.
Director of ADMIRE at ITP Aero
A Mechanical Industrial Engineer from the Bilbao School of Engineering, he joined ITP Aero in 2000, holding various positions related to R&D and product engineering until 2012, when he transitioned into advanced manufacturing, specifically the lost-wax casting process.
In the casting area, he has led technology development to this day. Since 2025, he has been the Director of ADMIRE, the advanced manufacturing center recently inaugurated at ITP Aero.
Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Okin
I am the CIO of Okin, a company in the food sector, where I lead the technology strategy as a driver of transformation and continuous improvement. In this role, I work to align technology, business, and people, contributing to the organization’s digital evolution with a vision focused on strategic objectives and value creation. I have over two decades of management experience in technology, finance, sales, and operations, a background that has allowed me to develop a cross-functional perspective to effectively address the challenges of complex business environments. Throughout my career, I have spearheaded digitalization, process optimization, and organizational evolution projects, particularly in industrial contexts, always with a focus on efficiency, competitiveness, and operational intelligence. I am also a co-founder of Digital Game Changers, a community of digital leaders that promotes knowledge sharing and strategic reflection on the role of technology in organizational transformation.
Director of Technology and Director of the Industry Division at Vicomtech
Igor García is the Chief Technology Officer and Director of the Industry Division at Vicomtech. He holds a degree in Electronics and Industrial Automation Engineering and a PhD in Computer Science.
Igor is the Chief Technology Officer at Vicomtech and Director of the Division that encompasses industrial communications, graphics processing, immersive environments, machine vision, data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence for manufacturing and industrial processes.
His professional experience focuses primarily on signal processing (audio and video) and data processing and analysis techniques. He has participated in over 100 R&D projects with both local industry and international consortia.
Igor is a visiting professor at the University of Navarra, where he collaborates on the Master’s program in Telecommunications, and teaches Data Visualization at the University of Deusto within the Bachelor’s degree program in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Emaia Health
Biologist by training with more than 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices sectors. My career has been consolidated through different innovation projects and development of health solutions, where I have combined my scientific base with a solid vision in business development, sales and marketing. This hybrid perspective allows me to understand technology not only as a tool, but as an engine of transformation with real clinical impact.
Currently, I am Co-Founder and Executive Director at EMAIA Health, a startup created to transform women’s health through Artificial Intelligence. From a preventive and personalized vision, I lead a project that integrates evidence and responsible technology to close gaps in the FemTech ecosystem. My commitment is firm: to promote female leadership in health and undertake solutions that generate measurable results, inspiring others to transform lives through sustainable innovation.
Managing Director of the Machine Tool and Industrial Automation divisions of the MONDRAGON Corporation: Danobatgroup and MIA, and Vice President of the MONDRAGON Corporation
AI Systems Architect at Versia Applied Intelligence
I am a Computer Engineer and Systems Architect with more than 20 years of experience in the implementation of solutions, infrastructures and migrations. Currently, I have refocused my career towards Artificial Intelligence with a focus on secure lifecycle and continuous delivery. As an AI solutions consultant, I focus on environment sizing, automation, observability and implementation of CI/CD services; ensuring that innovation is always based on robust, scalable and efficient foundations.
Researcher at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Principal Researcher in AI at TECNALIA
Javier Del Ser is Principal Investigator in Applied Artificial Intelligence at TECNALIA and Distinguished Researcher at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). He holds a PhD in Control Engineering and Industrial Electronics from the University of Navarra (2006, Cum Laude) and a PhD in Information and Communication Technologies from the University of Alcalá (2013, Extraordinary Award). His work focuses on the development of trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, as well as machine learning, deep learning, and evolutionary computation. Author of nearly 500 scientific publications, he has supervised 20 doctoral theses and participated in more than 70 R&D projects and contracts. He is a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (HCR), belongs to the top 0.1% of the world’s most influential researchers, and has contributed to the design of Spain’s national AI R&D strategy. He has received numerous awards, including the BRTA Award for Scientific Excellence.
Lawyer in charge of the Digital Law Area at LKS Next Legal
Graduate in Economic Law from the University of Deusto.
Senior Lawyer and Head of the Digital Law Area at LKS Next Legal.
Expert in Digital Law and Technological Law, Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection, Information Security, and Regulatory Compliance.
Extensive experience in legal advice to organizations, in Technology and Innovation.
Certified Data Protection Officer according to the AEPD Scheme.
Professor in the Digital Law Expert Degree at the University of Deusto.
Participates as a legal expert in the Digitalization and Robotics Forum of the Mondragón Corporation.
BAIC Ethics and Regulatory Advisor.
Winner of the First Prize of the III APEP·IA Privacy Contest.
Co-head of the APEP·IA AI Working Group.
Want to get a feel for what ApplAI is like?
ApplAI is a fresh, dynamic and hands‑on congress where you won’t just learn about AI, strategy and business—you’ll also connect with key figures and with the entire AI ecosystem in the Basque Country.
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en
23/01/2025
