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# Barcelona Third Globally for AI Investment
- URL: https://barna.news/barcelona-third-globally-for-ai/
- Published: 2026-09-04T10:00:24.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-04T10:00:24.000Z
- Description: Barcelona ranks third worldwide in attracting foreign investment in artificial intelligence, behind only London and Singapore.
- Author: Laia Serra
- Tags: Economy & Finance

## Global Recognition for Catalan Tech Hub

For the second consecutive year, Barcelona has ranked third globally in attracting foreign investment projects in artificial intelligence (AI), according to the Global Location Trends 2025 report by IBM Consulting in collaboration with Moody’s. Only London and Singapore rank higher. The report positions Barcelona as the top city in the European Union for AI investment, reinforcing its status as a leading destination for technology-driven projects.

## Key Projects and Economic Impact

Major international companies are establishing AI-focused operations in the region. In 2025, Sanofi launched its global innovation hub in the 22@ district of Barcelona, HP opened an AI centre in Sant Cugat del Vallès, and NTT Data inaugurated an innovation centre in the Catalan capital. According to ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, nearly 500 companies in Catalonia are dedicated to AI, generating over €2.155 billion in combined turnover and supporting almost 14,500 jobs. In 2024, 24% of Catalan companies with more than nine employees invested in AI-related technologies, including generative AI, up from 12.6% in 2023.

> This recognition underlines Catalonia’s attractiveness as a top-tier destination for technology-driven investment projects, especially in a field as relevant as Artificial Intelligence.

Jaume Baró, Secretary for Business and Competitiveness and CEO of ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment, said the ranking confirms the region’s readiness to compete in advanced technological sectors. He added that the Catalan government prioritises attracting foreign investment that generates wealth and employment.

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## Strategic Goals and Regional Growth

AI is a priority sector in the Catalan government’s 2026–2030 Foreign Investment Attraction, Capture, and Retention Strategy, which aims to secure 600 projects, mobilise €6 billion, and create 45,000 jobs by 2030\. Catalonia is home to 160 international technology hubs, a 9% increase from the previous year, which collectively created 6,191 new jobs in 2024\. These hubs now employ 34,869 people. IBM’s study also found that Catalonia leads all regions in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) in job creation from foreign investment, capturing 20% of all such jobs in Spain, ahead of Madrid at 14%. At the city level, Barcelona ranks third in the EMEA region for job creation, behind London and Dubai.

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*Primary sources:* [*visit.santcugat.cat*](https://visit.santcugat.cat/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/SantCugat-Smart-Meeting-EN.pdf?ref=barna.news)*,* [*premsa.santcugat.cat*](https://premsa.santcugat.cat/innovacio/lecosistema-dinnovacio-de-sant-cugat-es-projecta-al-mwc-2026-de-la-ma-del-biva-i-9-startups-dalt-creixement/?ref=barna.news)*. Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, catalonia.com, Catalan News (in English), Barcelona Catalonia, prod.tbs-education.com, ibm.com, europapress.es, CatalunyaPress.es, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.*