Albania names AI bot as minister to tackle corruption in global first
Depicted on-screen in a traditional Albanian folk costume, ‘Diella’ has been tasked with ensuring that “public tenders will be 100 percent free of corruption.”
• Launched earlier this year as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania public service platform, Diella has helped users navigate the site and access about one million digital documents, issuing 36,600 documents and providing nearly 1,000 services so far.
Edi Rama, the Albanian Prime Minister, has appointed an artificial intelligence-generated “minister” to tackle corruption in his new cabinet, Al Jazeera reported.
Named Diella, meaning “sun” in Albanian, she was introduced as “a cabinet member who is not physically present” and tasked with ensuring that “public tenders will be 100 percent free of corruption.” Awarding of tenders has long been a major source of corruption in the Balkan nation of 2.8 million people, which is seeking European Union membership.
Corruption remains a key obstacle to Albania’s EU aspirations. Rama’s Socialist Party, recently securing a fourth term, has pledged to achieve EU membership within five years, aiming to conclude negotiations by 2027.
Lawmakers are set to vote on Rama’s new cabinet, though it remains unclear if Diella’s virtual position will be formally approved. Legal experts say her official status may require further clarification. Depicted on-screen in a traditional Albanian folk costume, Diella has drawn criticism from opposition figures. Gazmend Bardhi, parliamentary leader of the Democrats, called her appointment unconstitutional, posting on Facebook that “[The] Prime Minister’s buffoonery cannot be turned into legal acts of the Albanian state.”
Rama has not specified what human oversight will guide Diella or addressed potential risks of manipulation. Launched earlier this year as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania public service platform, Diella has helped users navigate the site and access about one million digital documents, issuing 36,600 documents and providing nearly 1,000 services so far.
Public opinion remains divided. One Facebook user remarked, “Even Diella will be corrupted in Albania,” while another warned, “Stealing will continue and Diella will be blamed.”
