The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria hosted the launch of the second edition of ‘University Digital Leaders 2026’. This initiative, promoted by the Telefónica Chairs Network, brings together undergraduate and master's students to assess their digital competence knowledge, leadership capacity, and communication skills in the face of current societal challenges.
Participants engaged in various challenges designed to evaluate their technical aptitudes, including digital development and programming, as well as their skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork. Dynamics focused on collaborative problem-solving and public speaking were employed.
This year's central theme revolved around the debate: Will a Smart City without AI remain competitive in the coming years?, encouraging students to reflect on the impact of artificial intelligence on urban environments' competitiveness.
The top four performers from the local phase will receive the University Digital Leader accreditation. These representatives from the ULPGC will compete in the national final in Madrid, scheduled for October 29th and 30th, alongside students from other participating universities.
The event's inauguration took place in the Auditorium of the School of Telecommunication and Electronic Engineering at the ULPGC. Attendees included Lluís Serra, rector of ULPGC; Juan Flores, director of Telefónica Spain in the Canary Islands; and David Sánchez, director of the Telefónica Chair at ULPGC.




