In a groundbreaking move, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has introduced an artificial intelligence-generated “minister” into his cabinet to spearhead the country’s anti-corruption efforts. The AI system, named Diella—which means “sun” in Albanian—was unveiled on Thursday as a non-physical member of the cabinet.

Rama declared that Diella’s primary role will be to ensure transparency in public tenders, which he claims will now be 100% corruption-free.

Fighting a Long-Standing Issue

Corruption in public contracting has been a persistent problem in Albania, a Balkan nation of 2.8 million people aspiring to join the European Union. Combating graft is a critical condition in EU accession talks, which Rama’s Socialist Party aims to conclude by 2027. Now in its fourth term, the party maintains that EU membership is achievable within the next five years.

However, it remains unclear if Diella’s appointment will require a parliamentary vote. Legal experts argue that more legislative steps are needed to define the official status of an AI cabinet member.

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Criticism from the Opposition

The move has faced sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Gazmend Bardhi, parliamentary group leader of the Democratic Party, labeled the decision as unconstitutional, saying:

“The Prime Minister’s buffoonery cannot be turned into legal acts of the Albanian state.”

There is also concern over the lack of transparency about human oversight and how the AI will be safeguarded against manipulation or misuse.

Who is Diella?

Originally launched as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania public service platform earlier this year, Diella has already assisted citizens by:

• Facilitating the issuance of 36,600 digital documents

• Delivering nearly 1,000 online services

While some hail her as a symbol of innovation, others remain skeptical about her effectiveness in a system long plagued by corruption.

Mixed Public Reactions

Public sentiment on social media has been divided. Some praised the move as a step toward modern governance, while others mocked it.
Notable comments include:

• “Even Diella will be corrupted in Albania.”

• “Stealing will continue, and Diella will be blamed.”