Video: @salvadorilla / X
Government to establish AI observatory and registry
The Catalan government will approve the creation of the first Catalan Observatory of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Labour Market on Tuesday 15 September 2026, alongside a registry of algorithmic systems. This move is designed to analyse, anticipate, and manage AI's impact on employment across the region. The announcement was made by President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa during his mid-term conference 'El futur és aquí' at the Maritime Museum of Barcelona on 14 September 2026. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to ensure AI develops ethically and remains under human oversight.
Protecting workers and supporting businesses
Illa confirmed that the government will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with financial aid and through the Aina project, a digitalisation support scheme. Resources will also be directed towards training workers most at risk of being replaced by automation, with implementation planned through social dialogue involving trade unions and business associations. The president stressed that AI is not neutral and must serve the common good, warning against unchecked profit motives that could cost jobs. He called for a shared, consensual, and universal ethical code on AI to guide political and legal frameworks.
"Catalunya wants to lead in ethical and responsible AI, harnessing technology's opportunities while protecting people and their rights,"
, Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat The observatory and registry are key components of the newly announced Catalonia AI 2030 Strategy, which will mobilise up to €1 billion over five years. This strategy aims to position AI as a strategic national asset while safeguarding workers' rights and ensuring algorithmic decisions are subject to human supervision.
Immediate action on school and care centre climate control
In the same address, Illa announced a separate commitment to climate-proof all 2,530 public educational centres and 51 public elderly and disability care residences by 2031. This will be supported by a direct investment of €100 million to fully climate-control 100 priority centres by June 2028. An additional €58 million will accelerate climate adaptation in public care facilities. The plan will be approved by the Executive Council on 15 September 2026 and implemented in collaboration with local councils, who may access financing through the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF). The Department of Education reports that 26.5% of public school buildings date from before 1960 and 70% predate the 2007 thermal regulations, underscoring the urgency of the project.
Primary sources: govern.cat, Fundació i2cat, Generalitat de Catalunya. Departament d'Educació, eb.gencat.cat. Reported by viaempresa.cat, europapress.es, laciutat.cat, RUSSPAIN.com, vilaweb.cat, ugt.cat, 3CatInfo, CatalunyaPress.cat, ON ECONOMIA, 20minutos.es, elperiodico.cat, ccoo.cat, negocios.com.
