Ombudsman warns Andorra of digital exclusion risks in public admin

Ismael Rins, technical secretary of the Ibero-American Federation of Ombudsmen, warned of the risks posed by digital transformation in public administration during a training session organised by Andorra's Citizen's Advocate. Speaking to around 100 administration workers and public entity staff at the Centre Cultural La Llacuna, he stressed the need to protect fundamental rights for those unable or unwilling to use digital tools.

The event, titled "Artificial Intelligence, Digitalisation and Human Rights in Public Administration," took place on Thursday. Rins, a former ombudsman in Río Cuarto, Argentina, advocated for a "right to non-digitalisation," arguing that administrations must offer analogue options alongside digital ones. He highlighted vulnerabilities linked to age, disability, rural location, poverty, or personal choice, warning that mandatory digital processes could create new forms of social exclusion.

"Digitalisation offers opportunities, but it also carries dangers," Rins said, calling for a more humane approach that accommodates life's nuances rather than binary yes/no formats reminiscent of social media. He insisted on maintaining human oversight in automated systems to handle exceptions, such as urgent situations overlooked by algorithms. Even after decades of digital progress, voting remains paper-based, he noted, suggesting daily administrative tasks should not be more restrictive.

Xavier Cañada, Andorra's Citizen's Advocate, praised the session's turnout as evidence of institutional interest. He positioned his office as a watchdog on ethical risks from AI and digital tools, beyond their efficiency gains. Legislation mandates monitoring potential rights breaches, including access barriers that widen the digital divide—such as for an 80-year-old unfamiliar with computers versus a tech-savvy 20-year-old. Cañada emphasised preserving proximity between administration and citizens, with no critical issues detected yet but proactive awareness essential. The office plans possible follow-up sessions and will soon present its 2025 complaints report to the General Council.