Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Forum discussion links AI productivity with the need for critical thinking
A technology forum organised by the AEC, an association of consulting firms, took place in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain.
Participants discussed how artificial intelligence could help businesses increase productivity.
The argument is that AI may allow smaller, better-trained teams to produce more, while Spain is described as lagging behind leading countries in productivity.
The discussion also focused on how people can develop critical thinking rather than accept claims from experts, algorithms or their own instincts without checking them.
That means reading, learning from different viewpoints, separating facts from opinions and checking AI-generated answers, which can be wrong or incomplete.
The piece points to schools, teachers, families and friends as influences on how people learn to judge ideas.
It presents the Spanish writer and reformer Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos as a model of curiosity and learning, and argues that people must use AI without handing over their judgment to it.
An opinion article linked artificial intelligence to higher business productivity and argued that people need strong critical thinking to use it responsibly.
The article said AI could help companies grow faster by enabling fewer, better-trained workers to become more productive.
It argued that critical thinking develops through curiosity, exposure to differing views, reading, writing and continued learning.
The author said AI-generated answers may sound convincing while still being incomplete or false.
The piece called for people to verify sources and retain responsibility for decisions rather than defer to AI.
- Who
- The article’s author, whose name is not stated in the source, discussed the issue.
- What
- The article linked AI-driven productivity with the need for critical thinking and responsible use of AI.
- When
- The article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- The discussion took place at the Global Technology Forum in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain.
- Why
- The article argued that AI can boost productivity, but people need critical thinking to assess its outputs and make responsible decisions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The author attended the Global Technology Forum in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, where participants discussed AI and productivity.
20minutos published the opinion article on AI, productivity and critical thinking.
- Forum
- Global Technology Forum
- Location
- San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
- Organizer
- AEC, an association of consulting companies
- Publication date
- 12 October 2026









