What's new in the data ecosystem: first half 2025

The open data sector is very active. To keep up to date with everything that happens, from datos.gob.es we publish a compilation of news such as the development of new technological applications, legislative advances or other related news.

Six months ago, we already made the last compilation of the year 2024. On this occasion, we are going to summarize some innovations, improvements and achievements of the first half of 2025.

Regulatory framework: new regulations that transform the landscape

One of the most significant developments is the publication of the Regulation on the European Health Data Space by the European Parliament and the Council. This regulation establishes a common framework for the secure exchange of health data between member states, facilitating both medical research and the provision of cross-border health services. In addition, this milestone represents a paradigmatic shift in the management of sensitive data, demonstrating that  it is possible to reconcile privacy and data protection with the need to share information for the common good. The implications for the Spanish healthcare system are considerable, as it will allow greater interoperability with other European countries and facilitate the development of collaborative research projects.

On the other hand, the entry into force of the European AI Act establishes clear rules for the development of this technology, guaranteeing security, transparency and respect for human rights. These types of regulations are especially relevant in the context of open data, where algorithmic transparency and the explainability of AI models become essential requirements.

In Spain, the commitment to transparency is materialised in initiatives such as the new Digital Rights Observatory, which has the participation of more than 150 entities and 360 experts. This platform is configured as a space for dialogue and monitoring of digital policies, helping to ensure that the digital transformation respects fundamental rights.

Technological innovations in Spain and abroad

One of the most prominent milestones in the technological field is the launch of ALIA, the public infrastructure for artificial intelligence resources. This initiative seeks to develop open and transparent language models that promote the use of Spanish and Spanish co-official languages in the field of AI.

ALIA is not only a response to the hegemony of Anglo-Saxon models, but also a strategic commitment to technological sovereignty and linguistic diversity. The first models already available have been trained in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Valencian and Basque, setting an important precedent in the development of inclusive and culturally sensitive technologies.

In relation to this innovation, the practical applications of artificial intelligence are multiplying in various sectors. For example, in the financial field, the Tax Agency has adopted an ethical commitment in the design and use of artificial intelligence. Within this framework, the community has even developed a virtual chatbot trained with its own data that offers legal guidance on fiscal and tax issues.

In the healthcare sector, a group of Spanish radiologists is working on a project for the early detection of oncological lesions using AI, demonstrating how the combination of open data and advanced algorithms can have a direct impact on public health.

Also combining AI with open data, projects related to environmental sustainability have been developed. This model developed in Spain combines AI and open weather data to predict solar energy production over the next 30 years, providing crucial information for national energy planning.

Another relevant sector in terms of technological innovation is that of smart cities. In recent months, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has digitized its municipal markets by combining WiFi networks, IoT devices, a digital twin and open data platforms. This comprehensive initiative seeks to improve the user experience and optimize commercial management, demonstrating how technological convergence can transform traditional urban spaces.

Zaragoza, for its part, has developed a vulnerability map using artificial intelligence applied to open data, providing a valuable tool for urban planning and social policies.

Another relevant case is the project of the Open Data Barcelona Initiative, #iCuida, which stands out as an innovative example of reusing open data to improve the lives of caregivers and domestic workers. This application demonstrates how open data can target specific groups and generate direct social impact.

Last but not least, at a global level, this semester DeepSeek has launched DeepSeek-R1, a new family of generative models specialized in reasoning, publishing both the models and their complete training methodology in open source, contributing to the democratic advancement of AI.

New open data portals and improvement tools

In all this maelstrom of innovation and technology, the landscape of open data portals has been enriched with new sectoral initiatives. The Association of Commercial and Property Registrars of Spain has presented its open data platform, allowing immediate access to registry data without waiting for periodic reports. This initiative represents a significant change in the transparency of the registry sector.

In the field of health, the 'I+Health' portal of the Andalusian public health system collects and disseminates resources and data on research activities and results from a single site, facilitating access to relevant scientific information.

In addition to the availability of data, there is a treatment that makes them more accessible to the general public: data visualization. The University of Granada has developed 'UGR in figures', an open-access space with an open data section that facilitates the exploration of official statistics and stands as a fundamental piece in university transparency.

On the other hand, IDENA, the new tool of the Navarre Geoportal, incorporates advanced functionalities to search, navigate, incorporate maps, share data and download geographical information, being operational on any device.

Training for the future: events and conferences

The training ecosystem in this ecosystem is strengthened every year with events such as the Data Management Summit in Tenerife, which addresses interoperability in public administrations and artificial intelligence. Another benchmark event in open data that was also held in the Canary Islands was the National Open Data Meeting.

Beyond these events, collaborative innovation has also been promoted through  specialized hackathons, such as the one dedicated to generative AI solutions for biodiversity or the Merkle Datathon in Gijón. These events not only generate innovative solutions, but also create communities of practice and foster emerging talent.

Once again, the open data competitions of Castilla y León and the Basque Country have awarded projects that demonstrate the transformative potential of the reuse of open data, inspiring new initiatives and applications.

International perspective and global trends: the fourth wave of open data

The Open Data Policy Lab spoke at the EU Open Data Days about what is known as the "fourth wave" of open data, closely linked to generative AI. This evolution represents a quantum leap in the way public data is processed, analyzed, and used, where natural language models allow for more intuitive interactions and more sophisticated analysis.

Overall, the open data landscape in 2025 reveals a profound transformation of the ecosystem, where the convergence between artificial intelligence, advanced regulatory frameworks, and specialized applications is redefining the possibilities of transparency and public innovation.