Mangaluru: In a landmark visit that bridged futuristic speculation with high-level diplomacy, His Excellency Juan Antonio March Pujol, the Ambassador of Spain to India, launched his latest literary work, The Great Reset [CTRL+ALT+HUMAN], at the Senate Hall, Hotel Vivanta by Taj, Mangaluru. The event, held on February 3, served as the centerpiece of a multi-day official visit to the coastal city, bringing together a vibrant mix of academics, tech enthusiasts, and religious leaders to discuss a world on the brink of an AI-driven transformation.
A Thriller with a Diplomatic Pulse
Ambassador March, a seasoned diplomat with an extensive background at the United Nations and WTO, has authored a work that is as much a geopolitical warning as it is a “futuristic thriller”. The novel follows Nour, a visionary AI expert who uncovers fifteen extraordinary breakthroughs across the globe, leading to a high-stakes UN summit where humanity must choose between a unified global blueprint or “irreversible chaos”. “This book is about people,” the Ambassador told the Mangalorean audience, emphasizing that while the 20th century established human rights, the 21st will be defined by how we empower the individual through intelligence.
India as a Global Inspiration
During a moderated discussion, the Ambassador shared profound perspectives on India’s role in the “Coming World Order”. He described India as a “very important source of inspiration” for a one-humanity world, specifically citing the nation’s 1947 unification. He noted that while Europe still maintains 27 separate armies, India successfully managed to unify diverse territories, armies, and currencies into a single federal republic-a feat of “very sophisticated diplomacy” that he believes offers lessons for global governance in the age of AI. He asserted that in a 21st-century multipolar world, no nation can thrive in isolation by clinging to outdated “19th-century power thinking”.
Dialogue on AI: Education and Employment
As an educator-centric city, Mangaluru’s interaction with the Ambassador naturally turned toward the practical implications of Artificial Intelligence. Addressing concerns about job displacement, the Ambassador was optimistic, stating that AI would satisfy human needs previously uncovered and create more employment than it destroys. However, he issued a stark warning for the academic sector: the educational system must undergo its own “Great Reset”. He noted that teachers must move from a “relatively comfortable position” of transmitting static knowledge to an “uncomfortable” one of constant adaptation to keep pace with exponential innovation.
The Spain-India Dual Year 2026
The book launch underscored the significance of the Spain-India Dual Year 2026, which celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relations with a focus on Culture, Tourism, and AI. The Ambassador revealed ambitious synergy plans, including a massive academic exchange that will bring representatives from 85 Spanish universities to interact with 120 top Indian institutions to foster joint research. He also highlighted the potential for “intense interconnection” in sports, mentioning that Spain-champions in both men’s and women’s football – is prepared to send coaches to India for football and tennis.
A Comprehensive Mangaluru Engagement
The Ambassador’s visit was marked by deep institutional engagement across the city. He began his tour on Tuesday morning at St Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor, where he held an hour-long interactive dialogue with students led by Principal Dr. Rio D’Souza. This was followed by an afternoon session at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), where he engaged with faculty and students alongside Vice Chancellor Rev. (Fr.) Dr. Praveen Martis, SJ.
The formal launch in the evening was hosted by Loretta Andrade and featured author’s reflections followed by a memento presentation by Roy Castelino, PRO, Diocese of Mangalore. In a touch of cultural bridge-building, the vote of thanks was delivered in Spanish by language instructor Rajni Lobo Patrao. Before his departure for Delhi on Wednesday, the Ambassador paid his respects at the historic Rosario Cathedral and Milagres Church, where he was received by Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Nazareth, respectively.
The Future of Language
In one of the most intriguing exchanges of the evening, the Ambassador predicted that AI would soon eliminate language barriers entirely. He suggested that within a few decades, the need for a “common language” like English would diminish as real-time translation technology allows every person to speak their local language – be it Spanish, Hindi, or Bengali – and be understood perfectly by anyone on the planet. “The future will not be handed to us,” he concluded, “we must step into it”.