Albania has become the first country to appoint an artificial intelligence bot as a member of its cabinet. The country broke the record as being the first in global politics to appoint an artificial intelligence bot as a cabinet minister.
Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed the appointment, presenting the bot named “Diella.” She is a digital system that will focus on managing the country’s public procurement system. According to Rama, the appointment is aimed at tackling corruption.
Albania appoints AI bot as a cabinet minister
Diella, which translates to sunshine in Albanian, was introduced at the Socialist Party assembly in Tirana. Like every other new term, Rama announced his new cabinet, featuring Diella, as part of its ministers for his fourth term. Unlike others, Diella will only exist as an avatar that represents a woman in native Albania attire.
Rama said Diella would oversee all public tenders, which has historically been one of the most corrupt sectors in Albania. By removing decision-making from human cabinet members and placing it in the hands of an incorruptible AI, he argued, the country could ensure “100 percent transparent and legible” spending of public funds.
“Diella is the first cabinet member who isn’t physically present, but is virtually created by AI,” Rama said in his speech. “She is the servant of public procurement.” The prime minister also stressed that decisions on tenders would gradually move “step by step” under Diella’s authority, transforming Albania into a country where public tenders are fully immune to bribery and manipulation.
Diella’s role will also include evaluating bids, hiring experts from around the world, and breaking down “the fear of prejudice and rigidity of the administration,” according to Rama. Diella is also expected to be central to Albania to align itself with European Union standards. The EU has criticized Albania for corruption in public administration and procurement, and Rama, who won his re-election bid in May on a promise to join the bloc by 2030, said the appointment shows Albania’s willingness to innovate.
Debates trail Diella’s appointment
While the government has lauded Diella as a tool to promote transparency, her appointment has already sparked debates all across Albania. On social media, some users are still doubtful that a virtual minister could remain immune to corruption. “Even Diella will be corrupted in Albania,” a Facebook comment said. Another added, “Stealing will continue and Diella will be blamed.”
There have also been concerns about the supervision and accountability for Diella. Rama did not provide details on what human supervision will accompany Diella’s decisions, or how the system could guard against manipulation of the AI itself. Meanwhile, Diella is not entirely new to Albanians. She first appeared earlier this year as an AI-powered assistant on the government’s e-Albania digital platform, which citizens use to obtain state documents.
Her avatar listens to voice commands, issues documents with electronic stamps, and aims to cut bureaucratic delays. Diella’s appointment was announced a day before Albania’s newly elected parliament was set to convene. It remains uncertain whether Rama’s cabinet, including its virtual member, will be formally voted on immediately.
