Mr Antoni Garrell
Antoni Garrell, President of HM Hospitales and Honorary Academician of the Royal European Academy of Doctors (READ), is the focus of a feature published on 20 November by Crónica Global, a supplement of the digital newspaper El Español, on the occasion of his admission to the Academy. The recipient delivered the inaugural address “La segunda revolución digital: ¿la economía digital y la inteligencia artificial nos están conduciendo a una nueva era de la humanidad?” (The Second Digital Revolution: Are the Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence Leading Us into a New Era of Humanity?), in which he reflected on the profound changes brought about by the transition to a disruptive digital era, highlighting both the opportunities and the challenges in light of the effects of previous transformative revolutions.
In his chronicle of the ceremony, journalist Gerard Mateo underscores the critical and committed outlook that the new academic presented in the face of the rise of new technologies—an ascent often met with optimism and naivety. «Garrell invited reflection on the relationship between humans and intelligent machines, on the limits that must be set for artificial intelligence, and on the best way to harness its full potential. This took place before a packed audience that included the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu; the Minister for Universities of the Government of Catalonia, Núria Montserrat, also a Numerary Member; the Minister of Justice, Ramon Espadaler; former Catalan President José Montilla; former ministers Roger Torrent and Carles Campuzano; the President of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Foundation, Salvador Alemany; HM Hospitales CEO Alejandro Abarca; the Abbot of Poblet; and the economist Albert Castellanos, among others.»
After outlining his professional trajectory, the article highlights several key points of the Honorary Academician’s address, in which he examined the implications of future self-aware artificial superintelligences—emphasising both their potential benefits, such as scientific progress, the resolution of global challenges and the promotion of a cooperation-based society, and the associated risks, including domination, resource tensions, existential crises, and ethical and legal questions concerning the rights of such technologies and liability for potential harm. In this regard, he stressed the importance of ethical and responsible governance to ensure that technological development remains aligned with human values and sustainability.
Garrell holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, a Master’s in Management and Administration, and doctoral studies in Decision Support Systems. A specialist in innovation and the knowledge economy, he has built an extensive professional career in both computational technology and organisational and strategic management, and has held executive positions at organisations such as Arthur Andersen, La Caixa, the La Salle University and Technology Foundation, and the Textile Design Foundation. Since 2021 he has served as President of HM Hospitales. He has been a member of several boards of directors and advisory councils, and has held institutional roles, including President of the Circle for Knowledge and of the Executive Council of the Ramon Llull University Foundation. In academia, he has taught and lectured at international universities and is the author of more than 850 articles on technical, economic and opinion topics, as well as the author or co-author of around ten monographs on digital technology, multimedia and industry. He also founded the technology magazine «INPUT». His two most recent books are «Industry 4.0 in the Digital Society» (2019) and «Smart and Sustainable Products and Services» (2021).
