Artificial intelligence has become an essential part of our daily lives: we unlock our phones with facial recognition, receive personalized recommendations on platforms like Netflix or Spotify, and use self-checkout kiosks in supermarkets. This technology, already integrated into multiple areas, helps us optimize processes, improve efficiency, and access more information. However, its adoption also poses significant challenges that require reflection and debate. To address these challenges and opportunities, the Kursaal Congress Palace in Donostia will host the third edition of AppIAI, the largest Applied Artificial Intelligence Congress in the Basque Country, on May 13. The event will bring together international leaders and key players in the sector within the Basque ecosystem, fostering the exchange of ideas and experiences. The day, organized by the Basque Center for Artificial Intelligence (BAIC), will revolve around three themes: 'Our Roots', 'The Present', and 'The Future We Are Already Building'. Top experts will discuss the real application of AI, covering topics from strategy and leadership to sustainable innovation and talent development. Notable participants include professionals from companies like Google, LinkedIn, the RAE, and Ikerlan. Pilar Manchón, Senior Director of Engineering Strategy and Research at Google Research, will open the congress with a talk on conversational artificial intelligence. Manchón is globally recognized for her leadership in the field and for her role as co-founder of Indisys, a pioneering virtual assistant startup acquired by Intel in 2013. Her career, which includes leadership positions at Amazon and ROKA, is a benchmark in creating technology capable of understanding and communicating with people. Ana Jiménez Castellanos, founder of MUTATIA and an expert in AI strategy and transformation, will close the day with the talk “Ondo hasita, erdia egina: the impact of AI from strategic design.” With over two decades of experience, she has led transformation projects at Amazon Web Services and EY, and her multidisciplinary approach integrates research, music, theater, and philosophy to address digitalization from a human perspective. Ángel Sáenz de Zenzano, country manager of LinkedIn for Spain and Portugal, will be interviewed in the segment dedicated to the present of AI. With over 25 years in the tech sector, he has been a key player in digital transformation at companies like Microsoft and LinkedIn, and is a reference in talent development and employment in the era of artificial intelligence. Anna N. Schlegel, investor and technology advisor at Truly Global, will participate in the conversation “AI and the new global landscape for companies.” With over 30 years of experience in Silicon Valley, she has led the internationalization of large companies and is a prominent voice in innovation and female leadership, presiding over Women in Localization. Asunción Gómez-Pérez, a professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and an academic at the RAE, will open the afternoon session focused on the future of AI. A key figure in the national artificial intelligence strategy, her work has been internationally recognized, and she has received awards such as the Ada Byron award for women technologists. Javier Del Ser, principal researcher at Tecnalia and the University of the Basque Country, will present the talk “Don’t let P-AI-nic spread! Education, critical thinking, and responsibility in the use of Artificial Intelligence.” Recognized among the most influential researchers in the world, his work focuses on developing trustworthy and responsible AI. Lorena Fernández, head of the AI Commission at the University of Deusto, will address the 'Eliza Effect' and the importance of gender perspective and bias reduction in artificial intelligence. She is a member of the Gendered Innovations group of the European Commission and co-author of a popular science book on AI. The congress will also feature other leaders from the Basque ecosystem, such as Nerea Aranguren (MONDRAGON Corporation), Laura Marrón (BAIC), Ion González (Okin), Mikel Chillida (Chillida Leku Museum), Rosa Carabel (Eroski Group), Iraia Ibarzabal (Multiverse Computing), and Xabier Esquisabel (ITP Aero), among others. They will share their experiences in round tables and presentations throughout the day (full agenda at applai.eus/agenda). AppIAI 2026 is presented as a key event to promote the development of artificial intelligence and build a more competitive and sustainable future. Source: deia.eus