Tirana: In an unprecedented move that has captured global attention, Albania has appointed an artificial intelligence (AI) bot, named Diella, as its new minister responsible for public procurement. Prime Minister Edi Rama, who recently began his fourth term, unveiled the virtual cabinet member in a ceremony marking a bold step toward digital governance and transparency in a country long plagued by corruption scandals.
Diella, which means “sun” in Albanian, was initially introduced as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania government platform. Her primary role was to guide citizens and businesses through access to official documents and administrative procedures. With her elevation to ministerial status, Diella will now oversee the entire public procurement system, including the management and awarding of government contracts. Prime Minister Rama highlighted that the AI’s impartiality would “help make Albania a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption.”
Public procurement in Albania has historically been a weak point in governance, frequently marred by bribery, favoritism, and opaque decision-making. These systemic challenges have delayed the country’s EU accession aspirations, now targeted for 2030. By entrusting an AI system with oversight, the Albanian government aims to remove human bias and curb corruption in areas that have proven resistant to traditional reform efforts.
While the appointment of an AI bot as a cabinet member represents a major innovation, it has also sparked mixed reactions domestically. Supporters hail the move as a transformative step in modernizing government, believing that AI’s data-driven decision-making could drastically reduce corruption. Critics, however, are skeptical about the effectiveness of an AI minister in a system historically prone to manipulation. Social media reactions have been divided, with some users joking that “even Diella will be corrupted in Albania,” reflecting doubts about whether technology alone can address deeply rooted institutional problems.
Experts in digital governance have noted that the success of Diella’s appointment will depend on proper oversight, transparency of algorithms, and accountability mechanisms to prevent exploitation or malfunction. The Albanian government has not yet clarified the specific safeguards in place to monitor the AI’s decisions or to intervene in cases of disputes or errors.
Despite the skepticism, Albania’s move marks a milestone in the integration of artificial intelligence into public administration. If successful, the initiative could serve as a model for other nations struggling with corruption and inefficiency in government procurement. Diella’s role may pave the way for broader AI-driven reforms, reshaping not only Albanian governance but potentially influencing global practices in digital statecraft.
As Albania embarks on this experiment, the world watches closely to see whether an AI minister can deliver on promises of transparency, impartiality, and efficiency, or whether human limitations and institutional inertia will challenge the ambitious initiative.