Santa Cruz de Tenerife is currently taking on the role of the hub for all things related to the Metaverse with the most prominent event in Spain and a pioneer in digital innovation and information technologies. Tecnológica Santa Cruz-Grupo Cannauto kicked off its traditional event yesterday, featuring a series of dynamic 20-minute talks at the Guimerá Theater, which was packed with eager attendees, with Artificial Intelligence taking centre stage.
This event gathers the latest advancements of the so-called “fourth industrial revolution”, where augmented reality and innovative digital tools are reshaping various aspects of life, leisure, and work. Technology professionals shared their experiences, showcasing how these developments are impacting society.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez noted that “Technology enables us to learn about success stories in business and entrepreneurship, as well as those that enhance people’s quality of life.” He highlighted the importance of government support for such events.
This initiative once again establishes itself as a meeting point for the educational community, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts keen on staying abreast of the latest ICT trends and digital transformation. Carmen Pérez, CEO of the Development Society, emphasised the success of promoting such an event, with the primary goal being to leverage tools like Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of citizens.
Illustrating the possibilities within this new digital era, Pedro Lozano, co-founder of the startup Imascono and vice president of Ceaje, introduced one of the innovations in the realm of the new “3D Internet”: the Apple Vision Pro glasses. He described them as the “future” of the Metaverse or Mixed Reality, with their premium features and functionalities justifying their nearly 4,000 Euros price tag. These glasses offer an immersive experience for both leisure and work, gradually making their way into Spain for applications like virtual audio guides in museums, technical project simulations, and even medical uses.
“Currently, the Vision Pro glasses are only available in the US, but Apple has announced plans to launch a basic version costing around 1,500 Euros, along with optional accessories that users can utilise to star in movies or simulate experiences like racing a Formula 1 car or piloting a spacecraft,” he explained.
Tecnológica Santa Cruz commenced yesterday morning with an informative segment where students had the opportunity to listen to experts such as Jonathan Clemente Navarro, head of the development division at Grupo DISA, providing insights into software development within the energy sector. They also heard from Angélica García, general director of B. Water Animation Studios, who shared her professional journey from architecture to the world of audiovisuals, among other distinguished speakers featured in a jam-packed schedule.
The afternoon sessions included talks by Isaac Hernández, Country Manager of Google Cloud, who asserted that “AI is a permanent feature”; Mariano Sigman (physicist and neuroscientist) and Carmen Artigas (co-chair of the UN High-Level Consultative Body on Artificial Intelligence), who conversed about the integration of AI with neuroscience and ethics; María Ramírez, deputy director of elDiario.es, who delved into the impact of digital technologies on journalism and international communication; and Carlos Santana (AI enthusiast) and Javier Santaolalla (science communicator), who tackled the trendy tech phenomena associated with science.
