Spain boosts AI and cybersecurity spending as budget faces Iran war and inflation pressures

Vice‑President and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo told a gathering in Barcelona that the national budget is being shaped by the ongoing war in Iran and persistent inflation. He stressed the need to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in public administration to cut red tape for small and medium‑sized enterprises, saying “Hay que empujar” the adoption of the technology. Cuerpo also highlighted housing challenges and pledged swift budget approval.

In the autonomous region of Castilla‑La Mancha, the regional government announced an investment of more than €46 million through 2031 to reinforce its cybersecurity strategy. The programme, overseen by the Digital Transformation Agency, aims to boost cyber‑resilience in public administration, protect health‑care data, promote a safer digital environment, and raise public awareness. It includes a media‑literacy project and the expansion of a cyber‑security chair at the University of Castilla‑La Mancha.

Both moves illustrate Spain’s broader effort to embed digital tools and security measures into its economic recovery plan while navigating external geopolitical and inflationary shocks.