Albania has made history by naming the world’s first AI government minister.
The digital official, known as Diella, has been tasked with overseeing public procurement, a sector often prone to corruption. Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced the move at a party congress, emphasizing that it is a genuine effort to boost transparency and restore public trust, not a publicity stunt.
Diella is already familiar to many Albanians through the e-Albania platform, where she assists citizens in accessing documents and services via voice commands. Her new responsibilities include monitoring government tenders, analyzing data, and flagging irregularities in real time. According to Rama, Diella cannot be bribed, holds no political loyalties, and applies the same rules to everyone.
The appointment has drawn international attention, but it also raises important questions. Experts note that while AI cannot accept bribes, it can still be biased or manipulated depending on the data and programming it relies on. Critics warn that if the system makes an error or blocks a legitimate contract, there is no clear accountability framework—leaving the question of who is responsible for AI decisions involving billions of public funds.
Albania presents this move as a bold technological experiment to combat corruption. Supporters see it as a potential model for other governments, while skeptics caution that without careful oversight, it could introduce new risks to democratic governance.
