This shift is also redefining leadership, which now demands new skills related to data analysis, change management, and decision-making in hybrid environments involving humans and intelligent systems.
These trends will be the central focus of the MERIT Summit & Awards Málaga 2026, to be held on June 4 and 5 at the ESSCA School of Management campus in Málaga. Under the theme “Human + AI: Redesigning Work, Reinventing Skills, and Reimagining Leadership,” the event will bring together executives, international experts, and talent managers to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming work, skills, and organizational models. Among the leading speakers are international experts such as Marcelo Carvalho, Nick van Dam, and Monica Worline, along with business leaders like Francesco Pellò and Jeremie Brecheisen. In this context, the participation of Joan Vicens Sard, Associate Director for International Development at ESSCA, is particularly relevant, as it reinforces ESSCA's role as host and as a European hub for executive education, fostering dialogue between businesses and academia on talent and leadership development in the digital age. Joan Vicens will contribute his insights on decision-making in AI-enhanced environments and the evolution of managerial skills.

“Artificial intelligence is redefining not only how we work, but also how we learn and how we develop talent. At ESSCA, we believe the real challenge is not technological, but human: preparing leaders capable of integrating AI ethically, strategically, and with a people-centered approach,” says Stéphane Ruiz, director of ESSCA’s Málaga campus. “Hosting the MERIT Summit on our campus reinforces our position as a leading international hub for executive education and for reflecting on the future of work.”.

Executive Education offerings with programs designed to meet the challenges of the new work environment. Its educational approach focuses on developing key competencies such as leadership in technological environments, data-driven decision-making, strategic talent management, and organizational innovation. Through flexible formats that combine in-person, online, and hybrid learning, the school supports professionals and organizations in acquiring the skills necessary to thrive in a context increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
With strong connections to the international business community and a clear commitment to anticipating trends, ESSCA is positioning itself as a key player in training leaders prepared for the digital economy, where collaboration between humans and technology will be the primary driver of competitiveness.