Albania has just named its first-ever AI minister — and she’s not human.
The virtual bot “Diella” will oversee government procurement, a sector long plagued by corruption scandals, raising hopes — and doubts — about whether artificial intelligence can succeed where politicians have failed.
Key Takeaways
- Albania appoints AI bot “Diella” to manage public tenders.
- Move aims to fight graft that blocks EU accession progress.
- Critics warn risks of manipulation and weak oversight.
- Diella debuted as e-government assistant earlier this year.
- Public reactions range from optimism to sharp skepticism.
Albania appointed an AI bot named Diella as its new procurement “minister,” tasked with overseeing all public tenders. Prime Minister Edi Rama says the move aims to eliminate corruption in government contracts, a major barrier to Albania’s EU accession goals. Critics, however, warn the AI’s oversight and manipulation risks remain unclear.
A Bold First: AI Joins Albania’s Cabinet
Albania has broken new ground in politics by appointing an AI-generated bot, Diella, as a government minister responsible for handling public procurement. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the move on Thursday, positioning it as a way to eliminate bribery and political favoritism from state contracts.
“Diella will make sure tenders are 100% free of corruption,” Rama said, unveiling his new cabinet as he prepared to begin a fourth term in office.
Why Procurement Matters in Albania
Public tenders have historically been a hotbed of corruption in Albania, a Balkan country where organized crime networks have long used infrastructure and procurement deals to launder profits from trafficking. Graft scandals at the highest levels of government have complicated Albania’s push to join the European Union by 2030 — a goal critics already see as ambitious.
By placing Diella in charge, Rama’s government hopes to present Albania as a test case for AI-driven governance and reassure EU partners of its reform efforts.
How Diella Works
The bot isn’t entirely new. Diella debuted earlier this year as an AI-powered assistant on the government’s e-Albania digital services platform. She guides citizens through applications for state documents, issues e-stamped papers, and even interacts via voice commands — dressed in digital Albanian folk attire.
Now, her portfolio expands dramatically: deciding how taxpayer money flows to private contractors. The government has not detailed what human checks will exist to prevent manipulation or errors in her decision-making.
Public and Expert Reactions
Reactions have been split. Some Albanians welcomed the idea of an incorruptible digital minister, while others mocked the move online. One Facebook user quipped: “Even Diella will be corrupted in Albania.” Another said: “Stealing will continue and Diella will be blamed.”
Experts caution that AI itself is not immune to manipulation. Without clear oversight, critics argue, powerful actors could still game the system — potentially hiding behind the illusion of neutrality.
The Bigger Picture: EU Accession on the Line
Corruption has consistently ranked among the biggest roadblocks in Albania’s EU integration talks. Brussels has pressed Tirana to strengthen the rule of law and improve transparency in state spending.
By appointing Diella, Rama signals both innovation and determination — but the EU will be watching closely to see whether the experiment produces genuine accountability or merely cosmetic reform.
Conclusion
Albania is betting that an AI minister can do what human officials could not: clean up procurement and reassure its EU partners. Whether Diella becomes a global model for digital governance or a cautionary tale of techno-politics remains to be seen.