A decade of transparency law sparked vibrant discussion in Alicante as the II Transparency Congress convened. Organized by the Provincial Council and hosted at ADDA, the event drew about 200 attendees, including municipal technicians, public representatives, legal experts, and professionals in computing, communications, and new technologies from across the country. The focus was to assess the current state standard, its practical effects, and the needs it generates after implementation.
The day opened with a debate on amendments to the law, particularly the sanctions regime. The opening presentation emphasized ensuring correct implementation by public institutions and those responsible for compliance. Emilio Guichot, professor of Administrative Law at the University of Seville and a member of the expert committee for the State Transparency Law, reviewed progress since the first transparency law of 2013, especially in rights implementation and trust-building measures.
Guichot noted how economic and political crises, including the 15-M movement, placed transparency at the heart of public discourse. He stated that transparency became a national priority at a moment when citizens demand greater clarity in government actions. Yet he warned that public institutions often fall short of decisions, arguing that an effective sanctions regime must be included to ensure adherence.
The professor underscored that while significant gains have been made in portal creation and governance culture, non-compliance and slow responses to information requests remain challenges. He asserted that transparency should be a genuine right, backed by enforcement that ensures transparency councils’ decisions are followed. He reiterated that sanctions are essential to secure the law’s effectiveness and citizens’ access to information.
A consensus emerged among speakers for the session on transparency, data, open sources, artificial intelligence, and information analysis. Concepción Campos, a legal and public administration expert, echoed the call for a sanctions regime as a guarantee of real compliance with the law. He warned that lack of consequences breeds noncompliance and erodes citizen trust, tying transparency to anti-corruption efforts. A sanctions framework, he argued, would be a crucial step in boosting trust and integrity in institutions.
Campos highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to raise transparency levels. He cited the Minerva application from the Tax Office, which uses AI to detect potential conflicts of interest among public officials and contractors. He emphasized that technology can automate information publication and simplify complex legal documents, though he stressed that a cultural shift and adequate resource allocation are necessary to enable effective implementation.
The discussion then turned to AI-enabled public service improvements. Jaime Gómez-Obregón, a telecoms engineer, stressed integrating artificial intelligence into transparency law to strengthen public trust. He explained that predictive and generative AI models help meet transparency obligations and improve access to essential information. He also noted the new AI-powered virtual assistant adopted by the Alicante City Council to streamline navigation and administrative tasks, expressing pride in how technology enhances citizen interactions with government services.
Javier Morales, head of the Alicante City Council Innovation Service, pointed to tangible gains from the AI assistant, noting a rise in digital requests and procedures. In the past year, the city recorded up to two thousand inquiries monthly, reflecting growing citizen engagement with digital channels.
Understanding the Power of Transparency
The second presentation clarified why transparency matters for public administrations. It is a cornerstone for strengthening public trust and safeguarding democratic values. Lorenzo Cotino, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Valencia and a member of the Valencian Transparency Council, praised measures implemented by the Botànic government to restore citizen trust but acknowledged ongoing challenges. He urged simplification of administrative language so information is understandable to all; otherwise true transparency cannot exist. He also highlighted technologies such as ChatGPT for clarifying legal terms and making them accessible to diverse audiences.
Cotino analyzed advance appointment as a step forward in accessing administrative services, while noting that mismanagement can create problems for users. He called for exceptional measures to guarantee effectiveness and to remove barriers to service delivery. He also flagged disinformation and the use of algorithms as significant challenges, referencing the Valencian Community’s pioneering transparency in algorithms to strengthen confidence in public institutions.
The discussion further explored how AI can be harnessed to improve public governance while preserving fair processes. The aim is to deploy tools that enhance clarity, speed, and accountability without compromising citizens’ rights or the integrity of public decisions.