SAI Spain learns about TCU projects in AI, data, and citizen participation

In May, the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) participated in a technical exchange session with the Spanish Court of Audit through the course "The culture of data in the audit cycle of the Court of Audit," which was held in a hybrid format. The session brought together international experts to share innovative practices in using data and digital technologies applied for external oversight.

Aloísio Dourado, the Deputy Chief Auditor of the Audit Department for the Integration of Data, Methods and Technologies for Oversight (AudDigital), represented the Department of Government Audit for Strategic Information and Innovation (Seinc) at the event. He presented the TCU's journey toward becoming a data-driven organization. His presentation highlighted key milestones, including the establishment of the Strategic Information Management Service (SGI) in 2006 and the development of an analytical culture centered on creating value for public oversight.

One of the key points emphasized was the role of LabContas as the TCU's main data repository. Currently, the platform hosts over 100 public administration databases, totaling more than 80 terabytes (TB) of data. During the session, the auditor emphasized that this infrastructure enables continuous auditing in critical areas such as social benefits and payroll, generating estimated oversight benefits of around BRL 3 billion per year.

Mr. Dourado addressed other critical success factors for the Court's data-driven strategy, including persistence in developing analytical models over time, focusing on concrete results for external oversight, and integrating business areas with technology.

AI governance

The agenda also featured the Department of Information Technology and Digital Evolution (Setid), and their lecture, "ChatTCU Brazil: using artificial intelligence to automate analysis and improve audit impact," led by Secretary Rainério Leite and Eric Hans, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Center (NIA).

The TCU representatives detailed the AI governance model adopted by the court and its application throughout the audit cycle. They emphasized principles such as auditor responsibility, human supervision (human-in-the-loop), data security, and the structured use of institutional tools. They also demonstrated how AI is strategically and securely incorporated into audit processes to expand the scope of analysis and drive gains in efficiency and quality.

Specific use cases for ChatTCU and solutions integrated into the Court's digital ecosystem were presented, ranging from automated document scanning and summary generation to more complex analyses involving multiple intelligent agents and full traceability of results.

The experience demonstrated the TCU's role as an international benchmark in the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in the public sector, reinforcing the technology's potential to amplify the impact of audits and generate value for society.

Control actions

The program included the participation of auditors Maria Paula Estellita Lins and Salvatore Palumbo. They presented initiatives aimed at strengthening the citizen's perspective in oversight actions. With the support of the video "Cada história conta" (Every Story Counts), the TCU representatives shared their experiences bridging the gap with citizens, which is one of the current administration's core guidelines.

Ms. Lins presented the experience of public consultations conducted through the Citizen Participation Portal, as well as other oversight action initiatives. They also highlighted the "Juntos Pelo Cidadão" (Together for the Citizen) program as an example of engaging municipal management in the visited cities and encouraging social control.

Mr. Palumbo presented the primary references for implementing the "Cidadão no Foco" (Citizen in Focus) guideline and shared the core questions that inform citizen-centered oversight. He also highlighted lessons learned from the audit of the user experience of patients with acute myocardial infarction in Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS), as well as the "Cidadão no Controle" (Citizen in Control) initiative, which involved listening to different audiences within the context of high school education in Petrolina, state of Ceará.

The Department of International Relations (Serint) supported the initiative and was responsible for operational coordination. The Court of Audit of Spain extended the invitation and highlighted the TCU's participation as an opportunity to enhance oversight practices and strengthen cooperation between institutions.

This exchange helps consolidate the TCU's leadership in governance, transparency, and innovation in external oversight. It also fosters the exchange of experiences and best practices while promoting digital transformation.