Forinvest 2026 opens with Aznar on world disorder, ex-Telefonica CEO warns AI impact is 70 times the industrial revolution

Forinvest 2026, Valencia financial and business forum held at Feria Valencia, opened its first day on 11 March with high-profile debate on geopolitics, artificial intelligence and investment. Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar headlined the Business and Innovation Forum on the new world disorder, calling for Spain to select reliable allies and distance itself from populism. Former Telefonica CEO Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete warned that AI is generating 70 times the impact of the industrial revolution, expressing concern over agentic AI that begins making its own decisions and the growing difficulty of distinguishing truth from disinformation. Google for Education digital transformation manager Mariano Salas examined how AI is redefining learning and working, while chef Joan Roca shared his model of creativity, continuous training and constant reinvention. Highlights also included a tourism innovation networking lunch between the Balearic and Valencian tourism ministers, the launch of the new Industry Talks forum, and Mapfre talent recruitment with the Infanta Elena.