Albania has introduced something the world has never seen before — an artificial intelligence minister. This new cabinet member is not a human but a virtual creation called Diella, whose name means “sun” in Albanian. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Edi Rama, soon after his party secured another election victory.
Even though it is not a constitutional post, the government says Diella has an important role. She has been given the task of handling public procurement, the process through which the government buys goods and services. The goal is simple yet ambitious — to make sure every public tender is completely free from corruption. Officials say this digital minister will speed up the process, make it more transparent, and leave no room for hidden deals.
Edi Rama explained that Diella is part of a wider effort to build the first full AI system in public procurement. By cutting out human influence, the hope is to eliminate unfair practices and make bidding more efficient and accountable.
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Why Albania Turned to AI
This is not Diella’s first job. Before becoming a “minister,” she was already active on the country’s e-government platform. She worked as a virtual assistant, guiding citizens through applications for official documents. Reports suggest she has helped process more than a million requests, proving her usefulness in day-to-day administration.
Now, Diella’s role has been expanded. The prime minister believes that moving forward with AI can help the country take big steps in modern governance. While other nations still rely on traditional systems, Albania wants to “leapfrog” them by embracing digital solutions faster.
The choice to focus on corruption is no surprise. The issue has been a major obstacle for the country for many years. At the same time, international partners, including the European Union, have been pressing Albania to improve transparency. With AI technology monitoring public tenders, Edi Rama says the system will become cleaner and less open to abuse.
Mixed Reactions at Home and Abroad
The news of Diella’s appointment has attracted a wave of reactions. Supporters see it as an innovative step that could inspire trust in the way government contracts are awarded. They argue that AI, if programmed correctly, can check whether companies bidding for contracts meet the rules and conditions without bias. This could reduce manipulation and prevent powerful groups from influencing the outcome.
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Critics, however, have questioned the move. Members of the opposition Democratic Party have called the initiative “ridiculous” and “unconstitutional,” pointing out that a machine cannot replace the responsibilities of a real government minister. They also wonder whether the project is more about publicity than actual reform.
From the business world, Aneida Bajraktari Bicja, founder of Balkans Capital, said it is natural that people wonder if the project is symbolism. However, she added that the “AI minister” could be constructive if it develops into real systems that boost transparency and trust in procurement.
Anti-corruption specialists also see potential. Dr Andi Hoxhaj, a researcher at King’s College London, explained that AI can be programmed to closely monitor bids and check whether companies meet the criteria. He also noted that Albania’s progress in European Union accession talks makes tackling corruption more urgent.
For Edi Rama, even the dramatic style of announcing Diella had a purpose. He admitted that there is an element of a publicity stunt, but stressed that it also puts pressure on human ministers to change the way they work. By placing AI in the spotlight, the prime minister wants to push his cabinet to think differently and act more transparently.