Albania Appoints AI Bot as Minister to Oversee Public Procurement
Albania has appointed an artificial intelligence bot named Diella as its new minister responsible for public procurement, in what Prime Minister Edi Rama says is a bold move to eliminate corruption from government contracting.
Unveiling his cabinet on Thursday as he begins his fourth term, Rama declared Diella which means “sun” in Albanian will manage and award all government tenders. “Diella is the first cabinet member who isn’t physically present, but is virtually created by AI,” he said, adding the technology would help ensure public contracts are “100% free of corruption.”
Public procurement has long been viewed as a breeding ground for graft in Albania, with repeated scandals hindering the Balkan state’s ambition to join the European Union by 2030. Analysts warn that while the AI appointment is innovative, oversight will be crucial to prevent manipulation.
Diella was first introduced earlier this year on the e-Albania platform as a virtual assistant, issuing state documents through voice commands and electronic stamps to reduce delays. Despite the fanfare, skepticism remains. Social media users questioned whether even an AI could remain untarnished in Albania’s entrenched political culture.
Source; Reuters