We live surrounded by data. Every transaction, every journey, every digital interaction generates information that, when properly used, can support better decision-making, optimise resources or enable the development of new services. However, simply having large volumes of data does not in itself guarantee any benefit.
The data economy is founded precisely on this idea. Maribel Garcimartín, expert in this field at Ineco, explains that the real challenge is not to accumulate more information, but to be able to transform it into value. “Data are often assumed to be inherently valuable, yet in reality they are a raw material. Value emerges when they are turned into useful information for decision-making.”
To achieve this, it is essential to understand the data available, manage them appropriately and ensure their quality. This process builds trust in the information and enables organisations to unlock its full potential across a wide range of areas, from planning and process optimisation to the development of new technological solutions.
This trust has also become a key factor in advancing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Algorithms depend on reliable, high-quality data to deliver accurate and useful outcomes. Without proper information management, even the most advanced technologies see their ability to generate impact significantly constrained.
The data economy is also encouraging new forms of collaboration between organisations. Initiatives such as data spaces make it possible to share information securely and in a controlled manner, supporting joint projects, knowledge creation and new opportunities for innovation. This approach combines technology, governance and management to turn information into a strategic asset capable of generating both economic and social value. It is a discipline that helps organisations make better use of their resources and take more informed decisions in increasingly complex environments.
In this way, the data economy is becoming one of the foundations upon which digital transformation is being built. The aim is not to have more data, but to use them more effectively in order to drive innovation, collaboration and value creation.
