UPF-BSM hosts ecuadorian judiciary delegation to advance AI governance in the justice system

From 22 to 26 June, UPF Barcelona School of Management (UPF-BSM) welcomed a high-level delegation from Ecuador's leading judicial institutions, headed by Dr. Mercedes Caicedo Aldaz, President of the Judicial Council of Ecuador. The visit aimed to strengthen institutional and academic cooperation on the responsible governance of artificial intelligence applied to the administration of justice.

The delegation also included Dr. Ricardo Morales Vela, Public Defender General of the State; Dr. Fabián Fabara Gallardo, Member of the Judicial Council; and Dr. Milton Velázquez Díaz, Justice of the National Court of Justice.

During their stay in Barcelona, the delegation held working sessions with UPF-BSM faculty and researchers to discuss the challenges posed by the integration of emerging technologies into judicial systems. The sessions also explored governance frameworks designed to ensure the ethical, transparent, and responsible use of artificial intelligence in the justice sector.

Exchange of knowledge with the Judicial School and the High Court of Justice of Catalonia

One of the highlights of the visit was a working meeting at the High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) with its President, Mercè Caso. During the meeting, the Ecuadorian delegation shared Ecuador's experience in implementing artificial intelligence within the justice system. The exchange provided an opportunity to discuss the digital transformation of judicial systems, as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating AI-based solutions into the administration of justice.

The delegation also visited the Judicial School of the General Council of the Judiciary of Spain, where they were welcomed by Judge Francisco Sancho Segura, Director of the Judicial School. The meeting focused on exchanging experiences regarding judicial training models and exploring opportunities for future institutional collaboration.

Cooperation agreement and joint roadmap

Throughout the week, meetings held at UPF-BSM led to the consolidation of a cooperation framework that will support future joint initiatives in executive education, applied research, and knowledge transfer in the fields of artificial intelligence and justice. The cooperation agreement was signed by José Manuel Martínez-Sierra, General Director of UPF-BSM, and Mercedes Caicedo Aldaz, President of the Judicial Council of Ecuador.

The UPF-BSM has counted on the participation of Rodrigo Cetina-Presuel and Marco Tello, who contributed to the working sessions and to the academic dialogue with the Ecuadorian delegation. Both Tello and Cetina-Presuel have worked throughout this year on defining guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence within the judiciary of Ecuador.

As a key outcome of the visit, both institutions established a shared roadmap. The first milestone will be the Seminar on the Responsible Use of AI in Ecuador's Justice System, organized jointly with UNESCO and scheduled to take place in Quito at the end of July. In addition, UPF-BSM will support the Judicial Council in the development of its AI Use Protocol, building on the Principles and Guidelines previously developed jointly by UPF-BSM and Ecuador's Judicial Branch with the support of UNESCO.

The visit reinforces UPF-BSM's commitment to institutional capacity building in Latin America and to promoting the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence, particularly in strategic sectors such as the justice system.