In an increasingly competitive and changing global environment, innovation has become a fundamental pillar for the sustainability and growth of companies. Those organizations that do not innovate run the risk of falling behind, especially in a context where emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and supercomputing are providing key and transformative elements. These technologies allow companies to be more efficient, optimize their processes, develop new products and services, and improve decision-making.
In this scenario, large corporations are allocating millions in artificial intelligence investments to stay at the technological forefront. According to recent reports, companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have committed billions of dollars to research and development in this area.
In Europe, although investment figures do not reach the levels of large US tech companies, significant advances are also observed, more focused on sectoral applications. A prominent example is the industrial sector, where AI is being used to optimize production processes. Companies like Siemens have implemented artificial intelligence-based solutions in their factories to improve operational efficiency, predict equipment maintenance, and automate industrial processes.
Another representative case is the automotive sector, which is betting on AI to develop smarter and more personalized vehicles. Advanced algorithms are being used to create driver assistance systems, such as autonomous driving and in-vehicle virtual assistants. In addition, AI allows customizing the driving experience based on user preferences, which improves both the safety and efficiency of the car. This type of innovation not only increases the quality of the final product but also positions companies like BMW, Volkswagen, or Renault at the forefront of future technologies in the mobility industry.
The ability to adapt quickly to these technological advances, in addition to improving operational efficiency, also opens up new opportunities for product development, service improvement, and the creation of disruptive business models. In this ecosystem of technological innovation, research centers such as the Barcelona Supercomputing Center - National Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) play a key role, not only in traditional knowledge transfer but also in anticipating future technological needs and challenges. Thanks to its supercomputing capabilities and the talent of its more than 1,300 researchers in artificial intelligence, the BSC has become a strategic source of innovation opportunities for companies.
In this context, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center has created the BSC Connects program, an initiative that seeks to strengthen the link between the business world and the scientific-technological environment. Through this program, the BSC collaborates closely with companies to identify emerging trends, explore disruptive solutions, promote joint learning, and build new capabilities. This bidirectional relationship allows organizations not only to incorporate cutting-edge technologies but also to strategically prepare for upcoming challenges, from the digital transformation of processes to adaptation to new social and environmental demands.
BSC Connects is a program designed to accelerate collaboration between the public and private sectors, helping companies solve their most complex challenges by accessing technologies such as supercomputing and artificial intelligence. Participating organizations benefit from continuous support, access to state-of-the-art technological infrastructure, such as the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer, and specialized training programs.
Companies participating in BSC Connects are integrated into an innovation ecosystem formed by experts from the supercomputing centerThe BSC contributes to this type of collaboration in various ways, for example, by providing knowledge in its five scientific areas ---computer sciences, computational applications for science and engineering (CASE), life sciences, Earth sciences, and computational social sciences---, in addition to continuously connecting working teams from companies participating in the program with researchers from the supercomputing center. Likewise, it also offers a differential learning model focused on obtaining commercial results and acts as a link with Barcelona's innovation and deep tech ecosystem, where the spin-offsof the BSC itself are key actors, in addition to working closely with public administrations.
The companies participating in BSC Connects are integrated into an innovation ecosystem formed by experts from the supercomputing center, other research centers, universities, and leading companies. This collaborative model facilitates the identification of specific technological challenges, the development of innovative solutions, and the continuous improvement of results. Organizations such as Renfe and Vueling have already joined this program, using supercomputing to optimize their operational processes and offer better services to their customers. With BSC Connects, the BSC reinforces its commitment to knowledge transfer and the development of advanced technologies, providing companies with the necessary tools to anticipate future challenges.