B2 – Upper Intermediate
Spain has taken another major step toward digital transformation with the launch of a new national initiative to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in businesses. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the government will allocate €150 million in subsidies to help companies develop and integrate AI-based technologies into their operations.
The program aims to accelerate innovation, improve productivity, and enhance competitiveness across key sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and finance. By encouraging the adoption of AI, the government seeks to position Spain as a leader in the global digital economy, fostering sustainable growth and preparing the country for the future of work and technology.
Read the article and learn more about this government project.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “earmark” mean? “On the European Union (EU) front, significant funding has been earmarked to foster AI research and development.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “to make strides in something” mean? “In addition, the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC) has made strides in setting up AI Factories across Europe.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “uptake” mean? “A key initiative under this package, GenAI4EU, aims to stimulate the development and uptake of generative AI across Europe’s strategic industrial sectors.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think Spain is investing heavily in artificial intelligence now?
- What benefits and challenges might small and medium-sized businesses face when adopting AI?
- Do you think government subsidies are the best way to encourage AI adoption? Why or why not?
- Do you think your company will benefit from this? Why or why not?