Alfonso X el Sabio University (UAX) and NTT DATA have held a conference entitled ‘Building the future of agent-based AI: talent, academia and business’, an event which served to introduce the first cohort of the agent-based AI training programme, created and developed jointly by both organisations. The initiative, aimed at students on technology-related degree programmes within UAX’s Faculty of Business & Tech, was launched with the aim of equipping young technology professionals with skills in one of the most promising fields: the application of this technology to software development cycles – an area where its impact can be particularly significant in improving organisations’ efficiency, quality and capacity for innovation.
Through this collaboration, UAX and NTT DATA are strengthening a university-business co-creation model designed to anticipate the market’s talent needs and prepare students for a professional environment shaped by the evolution of AI, process automation and the transformation of working models.
The first edition of the programme involved around twenty students from UAX’s technology degree programmes, such as Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Mathematical Engineering, Physics and Computer Engineering, and even included a student from the Online Master’s in Artificial Intelligence. The experience has been very positive for all parties involved, and it is therefore expected to continue in the coming academic years.
“At UAX, we strive to ensure that our students not only learn about technology, but also know how to apply it purposefully in real-world contexts. This partnership with NTT DATA allows us to take our university’s model of collaboration with industry a step further, bringing students into contact with high-impact projects and the skills that are already transforming the labour market,” said Luis Couceiro, director of the Faculty of Business & Tech at UAX.
For her part, Zobeida Duben, Head of Talent, Culture and Diversity at NTT DATA, noted that “agent-based AI is redefining the skills that professionals of the future will need. Through this collaboration, we are exposing students to real-world innovation environments and strengthening the link between the university and industry to develop the talent that will lead the digital transformation in the coming years.”
Through this training, UAX students develop advanced technical skills, as well as abilities that are increasingly crucial in the new professional environment, such as critical thinking, adaptability, complex problem-solving, collaborative working and an ethical understanding of technology use. The aim is for students to be able to operate in real-world innovation scenarios and understand how AI can be integrated into business processes to generate value. This approach ties in directly with UAX’s educational model, which is based on practical learning, innovation and collaboration with leading companies. Furthermore, participating students have the opportunity to undertake work placements and, subsequently, join the technology company’s workforce.
A broader partnership to foster talent, innovation and employability
The Agent-Based AI Training Programme forms part of the framework collaboration agreement signed by the UAX Educational Group and NTT DATA, which sets out a common roadmap for developing joint projects in areas such as training, research, innovation, knowledge dissemination, talent recruitment and employability.
This agreement provides for, amongst other areas of work, the promotion of work placements in disciplines of mutual interest, the involvement of NTT DATA professionals in teaching activities, masterclasses and events aimed at enhancing employability, collaboration on the development of new degree programmes or specialisations tailored to market needs, as well as joint participation in meetings and educational, technical and scientific seminars.
Furthermore, the agreement paves the way for collaboration on applied research projects, NTT DATA’s participation in initiatives linked to the UAXmakers model, the joint definition of real-world challenges for students, and the connection between the academic and professional ecosystems. In this way, both organisations are committed to a long-term collaboration model, aimed at making a real impact on students’ education and meeting companies’ demand for talent.
