Avilés, Spain – Rubén Fernández, CEO of Ewala Cybersecurity & Innovation, cautioned against over-reliance on artificial intelligence in decision-making during a cybersecurity and AI-focused event held Thursday at the University of Oviedo’s Avilés campus. The event, titled ‘IA y Ciberseguridad: oportunidades y riesgos para nuevos negocios,’ was organized by the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) and the University of Oviedo.
Fernández highlighted the potential of AI to boost productivity, particularly for entrepreneurs facing limited resources. “It streamlines and increases productivity,” he said. “When you’re starting out, you have limited resources and have to be a jack-of-all-trades. I’ve been there. You can’t hire someone for marketing, a legal department… and you have to do everything yourself. That’s where AI is a wonderful tool because it helps you optimize your time. You can be a jack-of-all-trades without it taking over your life,” he remarked.
Still, Fernández stressed the importance of maintaining human oversight. He advised against sharing personal data due to unpredictable consequences and, crucially, against allowing AI to dictate decisions. “It’s okay to ask, analyze, and explore different options… but you have to craft the decision yourself. I don’t know about in five years, or two… But right now, it’s not the most advisable thing to do,” he stated, emphasizing the require to “always verify the information.”
The INCIBE-University of Oviedo collaboration extends beyond the Avilés event. The University of Oviedo is a collaborating entity in the INCIBE Emprende program (2023-2026), designed to support cybersecurity entrepreneurship and integrate new businesses into the Spanish digital economy. Upcoming workshops as part of this program, scheduled for March 12th, 13th, 19th, and 20th, will focus on leadership, communication, and “Tech for Good” initiatives, with a focus on creating socially impactful technology with secure digital business models.
Fernández also pointed to specific areas where AI can be immediately beneficial, citing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) as examples. He suggested AI could facilitate “a spectacular marketing campaign with basic knowledge.”
Rubén Fernández holds certifications as a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) through ISACA and a Certified SCADA Security Architect (CSSA) from IACRB, as well as a PCI Professional certification from the PCI Security Council. He has over 20 years of experience in information security and cyber fields, previously working with Deloitte, SIA Group, and IBM, according to INCIBE’s website.