Digitization, Sustainability, and AI for National Transformation
The University prepares programs to transfer knowledge to businesses
Ramon Puente is one of the most prominent voices in digital trends at eUniv, the university institution based in Andorra. The entrepreneur, business advisor, and investor is not only a professor of the Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Organization Engineering but will also lead the upcoming digital transformation course for executives that eUniv is developing. Puente has reflected on the transformation of business models and society through digitization, artificial intelligence, and sustainability, highlighting the impact of these trends and their implementation in Andorra, a country that “aims to position itself as a leader in digital innovation.”
One of the country’s strengths, according to the professor, is its commitment to digitization: “With government support and agreements with international institutions, Andorra is creating a favorable environment for businesses to innovate ethically and responsibly.” Puente emphasizes the importance and potential of applying AI in key sectors such as tourism and fintech. “The intelligent use of data can help businesses become more efficient and sustainable, especially in tourism, where we can offer personalized experiences without negatively impacting the local community,” Puente explains.
The size and characteristics of Andorra’s economy represent a unique opportunity to serve as a testing ground. “In a small country, it’s easier to implement and test technologies in both the public and private sectors, which can serve as a reference for other places,” concludes Puente. He adds that this vision must be accompanied by the necessary commitment to achieve digital and sustainable development that benefits both organizations and Andorran society as a whole.
The omnichannel approach, where consumers interact with brands through multiple touchpoints such as social media and physical stores, is revolutionizing the way businesses connect with their customers. Sustainability also holds a prominent place in his discourse. Under the 3P model (people, planet, and profit), he argues that companies can reduce their environmental impact through digitization while meeting environmental standards. However, Puente warns about the side effects of the energy consumption involved in technology: “AI and data centers are increasing energy consumption, which forces us to think about truly sustainable digitization.”
TRAINING TO MANAGE CHANGE
eUniv is designing the future executive course on digital transformation, an in-person program aimed at transferring knowledge to the business world. It will cover emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Industry 4.0, but the focus will be on “how they transform organizations and change management,” explains Puente, who is convinced that data usage will have the same impact on the production model as the Industrial Revolution once did.