How innovation, technology and digital talent can promote the transformation society needs

• Through initiatives such as those that will be held at the MWC, 4YFN and the Talent Arena, technology and talent converge to generate opportunities and promote responsible entrepreneurship

The digital ecosystem is experiencing a moment of great proliferation.

In Spain and in the rest of the world there is a clear trend towards the adoption of advanced technologies, especially in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In fact, software, AI and applications continue to be the fundamental technologies on which start-ups rely to develop their services, according to a study by CaixaBank and IESE.

In this context, more and more companies are committed not only to developing digitized tools, products and services, but also to attracting the best technological talent to their work teams. Companies, entrepreneurs and young professionals will gather next week in Barcelona at the main European event dedicated to promoting digital talent: the Talent Arena.

Held during the Mobile World Congress and organized by Mobile World Capital Barcelona, this three-day event brings together professionals from the digital sector with leading technology companies and educational institutions. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their skills, make contacts and explore new career opportunities. In addition, the Talent Arena offers a unique platform for innovation and skills development in areas such as artificial intelligence, engineering, and information technology.

Using technology to improve the world

As a patron company of the Mobile World Capital Foundation and main partner of the Talent Arena, CaixaBank has positioned itself as a strategic ally of the country's technology ecosystem. The entity tries to reflect its commitment to the entrepreneurial universe and digital talent through the organization of various activities, presentations and experiences.

An interesting proposal that the entity is bringing to the MWC will be the 'Social Talks' series of conferences, where three young people will share their impactful personal stories to capture how technology can be used to make the world a better place. Guillermo Gauna-Vivas, creator of the Ayúdame3D foundation to develop and deliver free 3D printed arms; Marc Buxaderas, who through his communication projects wants to normalize his quadriplegic cerebral palsy, and Ousman Umar, creator of the NGO Feeding Minds foundation that seeks to provide access to information and education in underdeveloped countries, reducing the digital divide.

In addition, the entity will exhibit for anyone who wants to see them its mobile offices, cutting-edge spaces in engineering and design, with which the entity provides service in rural areas and guarantees the financial integration of thousands of people. To introduce all the technological and security elements of a bank branch inside a vehicle, a great deal of R+D work has been carried out, which can be explored by visitors to the Talent Arena.

Everyday actions for a sustainable future

CaixaBank will also present at the Mobile World Capital Foundation's stand a device that contributes to raising public awareness of the impact that lifestyle and consumption decisions have on our society. The tool is capable of calculating the personal carbon footprint of any user who answers a series of questions, and proposes sustainable consumption habits to reduce it.

At the same time, the 4YFN event, the 'startup congress' aimed at the entrepreneurial universe, is being held in the city. One of the star activities that will be held at this show is the presentation of the Start-up AwardsXXI in Catalonia, awards that the entity gives annually to recognize the start-ups with the greatest potential in each region. This activity will also be joined by other conferences and presentations in which various entrepreneurs will present their success stories and evaluate the role of technology in their business models.

Opportunities for digital talent

The next few years will be key to the leap that many companies want to make in the digital field. CaixaBank has already announced that its technology subsidiary CaixaBank Tech will expand its professional team with the incorporation of 500 developers during the first quarter of 2025, to more than 1,600 employees. CaixaBank Tech is looking to incorporate engineers from different specialties, especially software developers. The goal is to reach, in the next three years, the total figure of 2,000 employees.

In addition, over the next three years, CaixaBank will incorporate 3,000 young and technical profiles under the age of 35. The bank has announced the launch of the "Cosmos" plan, its roadmap in processes and technology framed in the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan. The financial group has plans to incorporate 3,000 new young employees over the next three years, of which 1,000 will be in IT.

In short, digital talent plays a fundamental role in the development of growth and innovation in the technological ecosystem. For this reason, entities such as CaixaBank are committed to training, attracting qualified professionals and collaborating with start-ups and leading events to reinforce their commitment to a more digital and human future. Thus, initiatives such as MWC, 4YFN and the Talent Arena promote an environment where technology and talent converge to generate opportunities, promote entrepreneurship and transform society.