On the occasion of its 70th anniversary and within the framework of the 8th APD Executive Congress, the magazine of the Association for Progress in Management (APD) published an in-depth interview with Andrés Navarro-Soto, Business Development Director at ThinkUPC.
In the interview, the publication explores how artificial intelligence is transforming business models and compelling companies to rethink their strategic priorities.
The Challenge of Moving from Pilot to Full Scale
During the conversation, Andrés Navarro-Soto addresses the current state of artificial intelligence adoption in the corporate landscape. As he points out in the interview:
«The real challenge in Spain is no longer raising awareness about AI, but successfully managing the transition from pilot projects to full-scale production in a sustainable, structured, and governed manner.»
He also emphasizes that the true competitive advantage lies not merely in having access to the technology, but in the ability to integrate it into core business operations. To achieve this, organizations that are effectively setting themselves apart share fundamental pillars, such as robust data governance, business alignment, technological flexibility, and a focus on return on investment (ROI).
Key Success Factors for Strategic AI Adoption
The publication also reviews the most common mistakes made when initiating these processes, such as treating artificial intelligence as a purely technological project or falling into “proof-of-concept paralysis.” In contrast, it advocates for a structured methodology spanning from initial vision to scaling and deploying agentic architectures.
Furthermore, it highlights the principle of Trust by Design to ensure an ethical, secure, and transparent use of technology, alongside the importance of leadership, organizational culture, and continuous team training.
You can read the full text of the interview below:
