García Maceiras (Inditex): “AI is not going to replace the work of our teams”

The CEO of Inditex, Óscar García Maceiras, explained this Friday how the fashion giant approaches the introduction of new AI tools. In a round table on business productivity at the annual meeting of the Cercle d’Economia in Barcelona, ​​the manager stressed that technological evolution has been and is fundamental for the development of his business. Now, he considers AI as a complement and not a substitute for human work. 

“We have an open vision and we are testing different models to apply to different areas of activity,” he commented in a discussion he shared with Pau Relat, president of the Board of Directors of Fira de Barcelona, ​​and Juanjo Cano, president of KPMG in Spain. 

The CEO of Inditex has pointed out that the group’s approach to AI is that of an engine that enhances the work, a kind of co-pilot that accompanies, but that is not going to make decisions because that corresponds to the teams. “We are optimistic about the advantages and ease that AI brings, but I am firmly convinced that it will not replace the work of our teams and human intelligence,” a basic value for its business model.

The fashion giant founded by Amancio Ortega, parent company of Zara, has been a pioneer in the introduction of technology in the textile business. In recent years it has completed the full integration of physical and online stores, in addition to developing a radio frequency system to identify garments. He is currently immersed in the application of a new tool to replace the physical alarms on clothing items. 

For his part, the president of KPMG Spain, Juanjo Cano, has stressed the importance of employees identifying with the values ​​of the companies so that they have a long-term vision of the professional relationship. Cano explained that at KPMG there is great gender, generational and national diversity and that “the glue is in the culture, values ​​and purpose” of the company.

In this sense, he has shown his disagreement with those who say that “young people do not know what they want” and has said, verbatim, that they know it very well: working with a purpose.

The president of Fira de Barcelona, ​​Pau Relat, has claimed the talent of the fair body’s workers as a “differentiating element” compared to other national and international projects in the sector.