In a world-first move that blends emerging technology with a desire for reform, the Albanian government has appointed an artificial intelligence (AI) model to its cabinet. The AI, named Diella, has been tasked with overseeing all public procurement contracts, a sector long plagued by corruption, and cannot be “bribed, threatened, or influenced,” according to Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The announcement was made on Thursday, September 11th, as Rama presented his new cabinet ahead of his historic fourth term. “Diella is the first cabinet member who isn’t physically present, but is virtually created by AI,” the prime minister stated, positioning the digital official as a cornerstone of his ambition to make Albania “a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption.”
The decision strikes directly at one of the nation’s most persistent problems. For decades, the allocation of lucrative government contracts to private companies has been a focal point for corruption scandals and allegations of graft, deeply entwined with organized crime. This systemic corruption has been a significant hurdle in Albania’s ongoing campaign to join the European Union, a key objective Rama hopes to realize by 2030.
Albanian media praised the move as “a major transformation in the way the Albanian government conceives and exercises administrative power, introducing technology not only as a tool, but also as an active participant in governance.”
However, the government’s groundbreaking announcement came with a significant lack of detail. Officials did not clarify what oversight mechanisms would be put in place to monitor the AI’s operations or how they would address potential risks of its manipulation, leaving a critical question mark over the practical implementation of the project.
Diella is not an entirely new presence in Albanian governance. It first appeared earlier this year as a virtual assistant on the government’s e-Albania portal. Designed as an AI-powered woman helper in traditional Albanian dress, it responds to voice commands, helps citizens and businesses access official documents, issues electronically stamped papers, and has been credited with reducing bureaucratic delays.
Despite its prior role, the promotion of Diella to a ministerial-level position has been met with widespread public skepticism. On social media, many Albanians expressed doubt that any system could remain immune to the country’s corruption. “Even Diella will be corrupted in Albania,” one Facebook user commented. Another predicted a familiar outcome: “Stealing will continue and Diella will be blamed.”
The new parliament, elected in May, convened on Friday, September 12th. Voting began on appointed ministers assuming their office, but it remained unclear whether PM Edi Rama would ask for a vote on the AI member of the cabinet. As Albania steps into this uncharted territory, the world watches to see if a digital official can succeed where humans have historically failed.
