Agencia de Gobierno Electrónico y Sociedad de la Información y del Conocimiento

21 – Strengthening Public Transparency

Brief description of the commitment: The commitment proposes to strengthen the adoption of technological solutions as a tool to facilitate the right of access to public information and to implement the publication of information requests and their responses. It also aims to promote the application of the “Recommendations on Algorithmic Transparency” and evaluate its implementation. Finally, it seeks to develop—through consensus—a guide of criteria and recommendations for the application of proactive transparency.

Organization leading the commitment: Public Information Access Unit (UAIP).

Supporting institutions/organizations: Agency for Electronic Government and the Information and Knowledge Society (Agesic)

Responsible for the commitment: Alejandra Villar, President of the Executive Council of the UAIP. Contact: alejandra.villar@informacionpublica.gub.uy 

Technical contact: Graciela Romero, UAIP Coordinator. Contact: graciela.romero@uaip.gub.uy

Stakeholders

1. Government: Agency for Electronic Government and the Information and Knowledge Society (Agesic), Public Information Access Unit (UAIP).
2. Civil Society: DATA Uruguay.
3. Other actors: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), National Directorate of Official Printing and Publications (IMPO), Academy.

Implementation period: September 2025 – December 2028

Problem definition

What problem does the commitment intend to address?

The lack of awareness of the right to access public information that still exists in society, the difficulty of finding public information available, as well as the increase in misinformation, increased by the problem of distrust that currently exists in the artificial intelligence (AI) systems used by the State for decision-making.

This problem affects the general population, although there may be certain social groups that are more affected at a given time.

What are the causes of the problem?

Technological advancements, misinformation, and insufficient training on this topic contribute to the problems described above. Furthermore, not all organizations utilize the Public Information Access System (SAIP), hindering the maintenance of a centralized system for access requests and preventing public access to all existing requests and their responses.

Description of the commitment

What has been done so far to solve the problem?

The Public Information Access System (SAIP) was created, which includes some of the Regulated parties and through which the public can submit requests for access to public information. A Guide of Recommendations on Algorithmic Transparency was drafted. There were prepared an opinion on proactive transparency and recommendations for its implementation. Regulated entities have taken part in training sessions on this topic. Some of the measures are very recent, so it is not yet possible to measure their full success.

What solution does it propose?

The plan to strengthen public transparency involves carrying out the following actions:

• Full adoption of the SAIP by the vast majority of Regulated parties and greater transparency regarding access requests and their responses, through public access.
• Implementation of a series of workshops for the application of the parameters established in the “Recommendations on Algorithmic Transparency”, a document co-created by Agesic and the UAIP in 2024, in addition to a plan to support its application and an evaluation process of the adherence to them by the obligated subjects.
• Development of a guide of criteria and recommendations for proactive transparency, through a space for consensual dialogue, and its subsequent dissemination.

What results do we want to achieve by implementing this commitment?

This commitment is expected to contribute to consolidating the use of the Access to Public Information System (SAIP) by the majority of Regulated parties and the general public, as well as facilitating access to public information. It is also expected that the State will use artificial intelligence systems responsibly, securely, ethically, transparently, and with respect for human rights.

Commitment analysis

How will the commitment promote transparency?

Making all information access requests and responses publicly available in a centralized system will facilitate access to public information. Similarly, a better understanding of AI systems through greater transparency and explainability, along with the proactive publication of information, will contribute to greater transparency.

How will the commitment help foster accountability?

Access to real-time public information will foster accountability by the State and allow for the continuous evaluation of compliance with obligations by obligated entities. Similarly, understanding AI systems, their explainability, and the proactive publication of information contribute to strengthening accountability and oversight mechanisms by society.

How will the commitment improve citizen participation in defining, implementing, and monitoring solutions? 

The active participation of citizens and civil society groups will be present through participatory co-creation mechanisms, together with other groups in society such as academia and international organizations, each contributing their perspective on the matter.