In this interview for Global Industry magazine, Alberto Pinedo, National Technology & Security Officer at Microsoft, talks about how AI is redefining all industrial processes across all industries.
Mindtech 2025 is a key event for the technology and industrial industry. What motivated Microsoft to be part of this fair and what are your expectations for your participation this year?
As a key epicentre in southern Europe, it represents a strategic opportunity to reinforce Microsoft’s commitment to the digitisation of the Spanish productive fabric. Our participation responds to a dual motivation: on the one hand, to share our capabilities in artificial intelligence, cloud, cybersecurity and sustainability to help transform the industry; and, on the other hand, to hear first-hand the challenges of the sector and collaborate in its evolution.
This year, our presence at Mindtech aligns with a historic investment by Microsoft in Spain: $2.1 billion by the end of 2025 in advanced cloud infrastructure and data centres. This investment will not only accelerate technology capacity, but also has a direct impact on the SME ecosystem by facilitating access to digital solutions, security platforms, productivity and compliance. All of this reaffirms our vision of the role of AI as a key ally for growth and efficiency. At Microsoft, we are working to make these technologies available to all businesses, regardless of their size, helping to improve employee digital skills, connect teams, optimise operational agility and strengthen resilience.
‘This year, our presence in Mindtech aligns with Microsoft’s historic investment in Spain: $2.1 billion by the end of 2025’.
Alberto Pinedo, National Technology & Security Officer at Microsoft
The event brings together companies from industries such as automotive, aerospace, renewable energy, security and defence. How do you see the convergence of these industries and how does Microsoft contribute to their current technology needs?
We are witnessing an unprecedented convergence between traditional industry verticals: digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence are breaking down silos and creating synergies between industries. At Microsoft, we understand this transformation with open, inclusive, interoperable and secure platforms that enable organisations to share data, optimise processes and accelerate innovation. From solutions ranging from autonomous maintenance to sovereign data platforms to industry-specific industry applications, but with a common vision: to drive resilience, sustainability and competitiveness.
What are the latest developments Microsoft is undertaking in its key areas, such as artificial intelligence, cloud and security, and how do they impact the industry sectors represented?
We have made significant strides with the integration of Copilot across our Cloud platform, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Azure and Microsoft Security, enabling industrial organisations to transform complex tasks, generate real-time insights and optimise decision making. Azure facilitates the adoption of predictive and generative models, with much higher performance thanks to the latest generations of specialised chips. In security, we have evolved to a Zero Trust model, with automatic threat detection and response, as well as predictive maintenance from the cloud, reducing costs and downtime. In addition, regulation and compliance are key: we help organisations protect their data with the highest level of security and compliance in the market.
From Copilot to other tools that Microsoft is developing in the field of AI, what practical applications can they have in industrial SMEs, how can they help them in their competitiveness and digital transformation?
The convergence of cloud and AI is redefining the concept of the industrial enterprise. Today, artificial intelligence means being able to increase automation, analyse production data in real time, optimise logistics, reduce energy consumption and predict machine failures. For SMEs, democratising these capabilities means being able to compete on equal terms with large companies. This year we have created the Responsible AI Innovation Center (RAIC), providing our partners with materials, platforms and technical information to embed trust in the technologies and solutions they develop. Two key pillars: Responsibility and purpose. It is essential that AI projects are designed with positive impact from the outset, seeking social welfare and positive business impact.
What challenges do companies, especially SMEs, face in their implementation?
The main challenge is cultural and organisational: to involve the whole organisation in the adoption of artificial intelligence, encouraging continuous training and new ways of working. From a technological perspective, the main challenges are data protection, governance and team training. To overcome them, we work through free training programmes, support in the adoption of Responsible AI, secure platforms and co-piloting models that accelerate value generation from the outset.
‘Our technology is tailored to the specific needs of each sector, but with a common vision: to drive resilience, sustainability and competitiveness’.
Alberto Pinedo, National Technology & Security Officer at Microsoft
At a time when AI is changing the way we work and produce, how do you envision the next industrialisation in relation to these technologies? What elements need to be taken into account especially in terms of the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence?
We are entering a new industrial era, where AI not only optimises pr At Microsoft, we are committed to responsible, interoperable, people-centric AI that drives productivity without compromising the fundamental values of our societies.