Hoy por Hoy (SER Podcast)

Episode Theme: Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología
Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Jaime García Cantero
Guests: Nuño Domínguez, Technology and Economy Expert

Overview

This episode of Hoy por Hoy centers on the intersection of science, technology, and society, offering critical analysis of current events affecting Spanish science institutions, technological shifts disrupting the job market, government and tech sector relations, medical advances (and setbacks), and the profound societal shifts wrought by e-commerce giants. Host Jaime García Cantero and his guests dissect recent headlines—ranging from alleged corruption at the cancer research center CNIO, the mass layoffs at Telefónica, government confrontations with Meta, new pharmaceutical research, and the unruly world of Chinese retail platforms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CNIO Scandal: Irregularities in Spanish Cancer Research

[00:24-06:56]

• Background: Ongoing scandals at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), including recent fiscal investigations.
• Key Issue: Accusations against former CNIO management for establishing a network to repeatedly award contracts to companies linked to themselves or ex-employees, bypassing proper oversight (fraccionamiento de contratos).
• Persistence: The CNIO has been in a “state of crisis” almost continuously since its inception in 1998, now facing yet another internal power struggle.
• Reactions:
  • Nuño Domínguez: “La mayoría son efectivamente gente honrada que hace su trabajo... Es heroico que se siga manteniendo [el CNIO] como un centro de referencia” [01:05].
  • The new manager, appointed Nov 18, also found irregularities and brought them to the Fiscalía.
  • The scandal includes flagrant cases like €25,000 spent on luxury cars with drivers.
• Broader Reflection:
  • Jaime García Cantero: “Llama mucho la atención que esto pase en el mundo científico también.” [06:00]
  • Discussion on public sector constraints: public procurement law sometimes hinders extremely nimble scientific work, but can allow “black sheep” (guisantes negros).
• Ministry Response: Officially muted, “están a disposición de la Justicia y que el Cenio es un centro de referencia internacional” [05:03].

2. Telefónica Layoffs & The Changing Labor Market

[07:16-10:41]

• News: Telefónica announces over 6,000 layoffs (~35% of its workforce), echoing patterns in global big tech (Microsoft, Amazon, IBM).
• Cause:
  • The role of AI and automation: “La inteligencia artificial... hace falta menos gente... Es un cambio de modelo bastante grande” [07:35-08:09].
  • Even programming—a supposed ‘job of the future’—is impacted: “Dedicarse a programar está estúpido, como tatuarse la cara” (cita de Brehmer, experto estadounidense) [08:09].
• Telefónica’s Context: Not a pure tech company—also burdened by infrastructure and competition, state partial ownership adds complexity.
• Societal Concern:
  • AI creates few but highly paid jobs: “La inteligencia artificial... crea muy pocos empleos, muy, muy, muy bien pagados” [09:25].
  • The challenge: “Cómo reincorporamos a esta gente al día a día” [09:33].
  • Jaime García Cantero: “La inteligencia artificial no despide a nadie. Un señor o señores deciden” [10:01, 10:41]
• Quote:
  • “No, la inteligencia artificial no despide a nadie. Un señor o señores... deciden prescindir de ti para ganar más dinero” [10:41].

3. Government vs. Tech Giants (Meta/AI Legislation)

[10:41-14:31]

• Topic: Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez demands that Meta (Facebook, Instagram) explain alleged spying and address the polarizing impact of social media on youth, threatening parliamentary scrutiny.
• Critique:
  • The panel doubts the seriousness of these measures, citing previous unfulfilled promises and double standards (government spends millions on ads on critiqued platforms).
  • Technology Expert: “El Gobierno sigue gastando millones en publicidad en redes... Todos los ministros tienen cuentas en estas redes” [12:06].
  • TikTok’s use by ministers (notably Bolaños) is mocked: “Parece un capítulo de The Office” [12:06].
• Wider Threat: Alarming data on social media’s impact on children, as highlighted in a UNICEF/University of Santiago study.
• AI Regulation:
  • EU’s intended strict regulation postponed due to US tech lobby pressure: “Una bajada de pantalones absoluta de la Unión Europea frente a estos gigantes” [13:24].

4. Medical Science: Pharmaceutical Setbacks and Breakthroughs

[14:31-17:37]

• Novo Nordisk’s Alzheimer’s Trial Fails:
  • Hopes that semaglutide (famed for weight loss) might help with Alzheimer’s are dashed after a huge trial shows no effect despite early observational associations.
  • Nuño Domínguez: “Lo que vuelve a dejar claro... es que todavía no sabemos exactamente lo que es el Alzheimer” [15:59].
• Genetic Editing for Rare Diseases:
  • David Liu’s lab (Broad Institute) advances CRISPR ‘bypass’ editing, potentially correcting up to 30% of rare genetic diseases.
  • Nuño Domínguez: “Hace una especie de bypass... produce proteína correcta. Y en algunos casos... funciona. Puede ser revolucionario” [17:23].

5. Chinese E-Commerce: Regulation and Addiction

[17:37-21:11]

• Shen & Temu Crackdown in France:
  • Following scandalous listings (sexualized child dolls), temporary bans are considered.
  • Underlying economic worries: these sites foster a culture of hyper-disposable, ultra-cheap consumption.
  • Technology Expert: “Para mí lo más aterrador es el efecto que han tenido... el resto del comercio web cada vez se parece más a este tipo de páginas” [18:03].
• Small Business Impact and Ultra-Cheap Commerce:
  • The illusion that Temu benefits small businesses is dismissed; local shops want to sell locally, not be assimilated.
  • Proliferation of identical Chinese-made goods on countless websites: “Un fenómeno alucinante... pueblos enteros especializados en fabricar disfraces de Frozen” [19:42].
• Consumer Addiction:
  • One-click buying, exemplified by Amazon Prime, is called “el fenómeno más adictivo en el consumo en la historia de la humanidad” [20:39].
  • Jaime García Cantero: “¿Realmente te hace falta tener el libro en 8 horas?... tipo de cosas que nos mueven a consumir” [20:54].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Scientific Corruption:

  • “Es heroico que se siga manteniendo [el CNIO] como un centro de referencia en investigación del cáncer con todos los problemas que lleva teniendo desde prácticamente su creación.”
    – Nuño Domínguez [01:16]

• On AI-driven Job Loss:

  • “No, la inteligencia artificial no despide a nadie. Un señor o señores deciden, piensa que la inteligencia artificial le va a costar más barato y decide prescindir de ti.”
    – Jaime García Cantero [10:41]

• On Technopolitical Posturing:

  • “El Gobierno sigue gastando millones en publicidad en redes... Todos los ministros tienen cuentas en estas redes... y a la vez criticas a las redes.”
    – Technology and Economy Expert [12:06]

• On European AI policy retreat:

  • “Una bajada de pantalones absoluta de la Unión Europea frente a estos gigantes.”
    – Technology and Economy Expert [13:24]

• On Shopping Addiction:

  • “El Amazon Prime y su botón de comprar con un solo clic... es el fenómeno más adictivo en el consumo en la historia de la humanidad.”
    – Technology and Economy Expert [20:39]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• CNIO Corruption Scandal – [00:24-06:56]
• Telefónica Layoffs & Tech Job Disruption – [07:16-10:41]
• Government vs. Big Tech (Meta / AI Regulation) – [10:41-14:31]
• Pharmaceutical Advances & Setbacks – [14:31-17:37]
• Chinese E-Commerce, Regulation, Consumerism – [17:37-21:11]

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a sharp, critical, and sometimes lightly ironic tone, suited to its mission of fostering “juicio crítico y conocimiento.” Discussion is both accessible and well-informed, with moments of both indignation (scientific corruption) and skepticism (political posturing surrounding tech giants).