Albania has become the first nation in the world to appoint an artificial intelligence-powered minister. On Thursday, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that an AI-created digital figure named “Diella” would join his new cabinet. The announcement was made during the Socialist Party assembly in Tirana, as reported by Reuters, and caught the attention of both political and tech communities globally.
Prime Minister Rama described Diella as “the first cabinet member who does not physically exist but is created virtually by AI.” This bold step positions Albania as a pioneer in integrating artificial intelligence into government functions.
Who Is Diella?
The name Diella means “sun” in Albanian. She appears as a virtual woman dressed in traditional Albanian attire, symbolizing a blend of the country’s rich cultural heritage with advanced technology. Albanians are already somewhat familiar with Diella through the e-Albania platform, which allows citizens to access government services online.
Public procurement has long been considered one of Albania’s most corruption-prone areas. The European Union, which Albania aims to join by 2030, has repeatedly highlighted procurement scandals in its annual rule of law reports. By introducing Diella, Prime Minister Rama explained that his government is taking a “step-by-step” approach to modernize administration and build public trust in state institutions. He argued that with an incorruptible AI system in place, Albania could set an example for other countries struggling with corruption.
Role of AI Minister Diella
Prime Minister Rama outlined that Diella’s main task will be to transform public procurement in Albania. According to Politico, Diella’s key responsibilities will include:
-
Overseeing public tenders to guarantee transparency and prevent corruption.
-
Removing decision-making power from ministries in the procurement process and giving it to AI.
-
Hiring international experts to support in specialized areas and break down bureaucratic rigidity.
-
Providing unbiased evaluation of bids, free from political influence or prejudice.
-
Making every public fund allocation fully traceable and easy to understand.
Rama emphasized, “This is not science fiction, but the duty of Diella,” and added that the goal is to make tendering “100 percent incorruptible.”
Public Reaction and Concerns
While many have praised the move as innovative and forward-thinking, there are also critics. Some social media users expressed scepticism, arguing that even AI could be manipulated in Albania’s political environment. One user commented, “Even Diella will be corrupted in Albania.” So far, the government has not fully explained how human oversight will work or how people could challenge AI-based decisions in court.
The launch of Diella comes as part of Albania’s effort to expand its digital governance model. The government plans to implement AI auditing systems and accountability frameworks to make sure Diella’s decisions are transparent and reliable. Having recently won a historic fourth term, Prime Minister Rama underlined that the country is preparing for a future where AI could play an even bigger role in government. Rama concluded, “With Diella, Albania has opened a new chapter. This is only the beginning.”
