A surprising experiment in Albania—appointing an artificial intelligence as a virtual minister overseeing public procurement—opens an important debate about technology and governance. Could algorithms help reduce corruption and improve transparency? The article reflects on the lessons this innovation offers for Colombia and the future of smart government.

This article explores the results of a civic conversation initiative around Bogotá’s Metro Line 1. Using LucIA, an AI-powered chatbot designed to improve transparency in public contracting, the initiative tested new ways to strengthen citizen participation, reduce misinformation, and build trust around one of Colombia’s most important infrastructure projects.

LucIA is a generative-AI chatbot designed to make public procurement easier to understand and monitor. By allowing citizens, companies and public officials to interact with complex contract data through natural language, LucIA promotes transparency, strengthens accountability and opens new possibilities for GovTech innovation in public infrastructure oversight.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering the public sector, but its value goes far beyond technological trends. This article explores how AI can transform public administration when applied with purpose, ethical governance and institutional capacity, drawing on the perspective of public management expert Concepción Campos and lessons for governments navigating digital transformation.

Open government is more than a transparency policy—it is a governance model that integrates citizen participation, accountability and collaboration across public institutions. This article argues that open government should not be treated as a standalone reform but as a cross-cutting principle capable of strengthening public policies and democratic legitimacy.