Europe’s technological sovereignty, digital competitiveness and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in public administration are the focus of a new article by Pablo García Mexía, published in the Cyberlaw section of Diario LA LEY under the title “AI, Cloud and the Public Sector: Key Developments in Europe and Spain.”
The article examines the growing strategic importance of digital infrastructure, particularly cloud computing and artificial intelligence, against the backdrop of Europe’s dependence on major foreign technology providers.
Particular attention is given to the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), currently under negotiation, which seeks to strengthen Europe’s technological capabilities and introduce new public procurement requirements aimed at reinforcing digital sovereignty.
The analysis also addresses the role of data centres, the importance of accelerating AI adoption and the need to improve AI-related skills among public sector employees as essential drivers of European competitiveness.
A central section focuses on AI governance in public administration, examining source-code transparency following the Spanish Supreme Court’s ruling in the Bosco case of 11 September 2025, alongside the importance of effective human oversight of automated systems.
Finally, García Mexía explores the legal implications of agentic artificial intelligence, whose ability to perform tasks with varying degrees of autonomy raises significant questions about accountability, public authority and citizens’ rights. The article advocates clear limits on autonomous action, appropriate human oversight mechanisms and emergency shutdown safeguards.
The article ultimately argues that Europe must strengthen its technological capabilities and competitiveness while preserving the legal safeguards and fundamental rights underpinning democratic public administration.
Read the full article in Diario LA LEY: IA, nube y sector público. Claves de actualidad en Europa y España