Previous editions

Relive the third edition of ApplAI

ApplAI 2026 reinforces its position as a key event for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem in the Basque Country. While previous editions focused on experimentation and pilot projects, this new edition takes a step forward towards AI governance and scaling. The goal is to turn initiatives into real and sustained impact, through a strategic vision and transformative capacity.

Key data from the previous edition

+600

PARTICIPANTS

Full capacity

237

DIFFERENT COMPANIES

93%

would return

to ApplAI 2027

speakers

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ApplAI

Very well organised, dynamic, interesting and attractive content for the public.

They exceeded my expectations with the speakers, they were clear and down-to-earth.

It was a very good idea to create a format that facilitates networking.

I think it was interesting that the conference was divided into different parts. The information on BAIC has been relevant.

I really liked the combination of different formats of presentations that gave a lot of dynamism, without losing quality content. I also highly value the whole organisation.

A super lean conference! Well composed, focused and with a fresh and exciting dynamic. Without a doubt a great success!

Very well organised, dynamic, interesting and attractive content for the public.

They exceeded my expectations with the speakers, they were clear and down-to-earth.

It was a very good idea to create a format that facilitates networking.

I think it was interesting that the conference was divided into different parts. The information on BAIC has been relevant.

I really liked the combination of different formats of presentations that gave a lot of dynamism, without losing quality content. I also highly value the whole organisation.

A super lean conference! Well composed, focused and with a fresh and exciting dynamic. Without a doubt a great success!

THESE WERE THE SPONSORS OF THE 2026 EDITION

URREA CONNECT

URREA BRAND

ZILARRA

Speakers of 2026

Alberto Rezola

Director of Data Strategy, AI and Automation at Teknei

Alex Artetxe

President and CEO of Arteche

Alfredo Zurdo

Head of Digital Change at Entelgy

Álvaro Pérez-Soria

Head of Innovation at Laboral Kutxa

Ana Jiménez Castellanos

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.

Ángel Saenz de Cenzano

Country Manager LinkedIn Spain and Portugal

Anna N. Schlegel

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.

Asunción Gómez Pérez

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.

Carlos García

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Lantek

Eduardo Moraleja

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.

Gorka Artola Beobide

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.

Igor García

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.

Iñaki Suarez

Technology Director at BAIC

Ion González

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.

Iraia Ibarzabal

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.

Javier Del Ser

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.

Josetxo de Frutos

CEO at ULMA Medical Technologies

Josu Bilbao

Director of the Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence unit at Ikerlan

Judith Muruamendiaraz

Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTO) at Fagor Ederlan Group

Laura Marrón

General Manager at BAIC

Lorena Fernández

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.

Lucia Arriola

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.

Maider Alonso Mendive

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.

Mikel Chillida

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.

Nancy Laramée

Partnerships Director at IVADO

Nerea Aranguren Achotegui

Managing Director of the Machine Tool and Industrial Automation divisions of the MONDRAGON Corporation: Danobatgroup and MIA, and Vice President of the MONDRAGON Corporation

Pilar Kaltzada

President of Save the Children Spain, Journalist and presenter

Pilar Manchón

Senior Director of Engineering and Research Strategy at Google

Rodrigo Martínez Martin

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.

Rosa Carabel

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.

Xabier Esquisabel

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.

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Relive the best moments of ApplAI 2026 with our multimedia gallery. Click here to explore the featured images and videos.

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Relive the best moments of ApplAI 2026 with our multimedia gallery. Click here to explore the featured images and videos.

VIEW GALLERY

This year, ApplAI promises to exceed all expectations with new content, more success stories and unique learning and networking opportunities.

Do you want to be part of this journey and contribute to improving the competitiveness of the Basque Country through AI? Join the next edition of ApplAI and be part of the change.

Subscribe to the ApplAI newsletter to stay up to date with all the news from the congress

Do you have any doubts about the conference? Contact us at applai@baic.eus

01/07/2026

Previous editions

Relive the third edition of ApplAI

Key data from the previous edition

PARTICIPANTS

DIFFERENT COMPANIES

would return

speakers

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ApplAI

THESE WERE THE SPONSORS OF THE 2026 EDITION

URREA CONNECT

URREA BRAND

ZILARRA

Speakers of 2026

Image and video gallery

Image and video gallery

VIEW GALLERY

Subscribe to the ApplAI newsletter to stay up to date with all the news from the congress

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