The Supreme Court has handed down a 24-year prison sentence for former minister José Luis Ábalos in the Koldo case. His son Víctor expressed his rage and pain on television, stating that his father is going to die in prison. Meanwhile, businessman Aldama, with a lesser sentence, does not enter prison. This disparity has generated indignation and strong social unrest due to the perception of inequality in sentencing.
The judicial algorithm: when technology does not solve inequality ⚖️
In the field of judicial software development, sentencing could benefit from data-driven decision support systems. An algorithm trained on thousands of previous rulings would allow evaluating the consistency of sentences, detecting biases in the application of the law. However, the implementation of artificial intelligence in courts requires transparency and constant auditing. Otherwise, there is a risk of automating injustice instead of correcting it, replicating patterns of inequality that citizens already perceive in cases like that of Ábalos.
The measuring stick: a luxury item for certain convicts 📏
Spanish justice seems to have a discounted measuring stick for businessmen and a solid gold one for politicians. Aldama, with fewer years of sentence, enjoys his freedom while Ábalos prepares for a long stay. Perhaps the judicial system should sell its measuring sticks on Amazon, with Prime shipping, so that everyone has the same model. Or better yet, have judges use an app that unifies criteria, although surely someone would find a bug to cut in line.