Albania has appointed an AI minister, Diella, to its cabinet, a move announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama four months after securing his fourth term in office in May. While symbolic due to constitutional requirements that ministers be mentally competent citizens aged at least 18, the appointment highlights Albania’s commitment to combating corruption and embracing technological advancements in governance.
Diella, whose name means “sun” in Albanian, will serve as the minister for public procurement, with the primary goal of ensuring that all public tenders in Albania are “100% free of corruption.” Prime Minister Rama emphasized the significance of this appointment, stating, “We’re working with a brilliant team, which is not only Albanian but also international, to come out with the first full AI model in public procurement.” He believes that this model will “wipe out every potential influence on public biddings” and make the process “much faster, much more efficient and totally accountable.”
Prior to her formal appointment, Diella had already been functioning as an AI-powered virtual assistant on the e-Albania platform, assisting citizens in obtaining official documents. According to Rama, Diella has “helped more than a million applications” in this capacity. The prime minister envisions a broader role for AI in government, aiming to “leapfrog” more advanced nations that are still reliant on “traditional ways of working.”
The appointment has elicited varied reactions. The opposition Democratic Party has criticized the initiative as “ridiculous” and “unconstitutional.” However, some observers are cautiously optimistic about Diella’s potential impact. Aneida Bajraktari Bicja, the founder of Balkans Capital, acknowledged Prime Minister Rama’s tendency to blend reform with theatrics, but suggested that the “AI minister” could be constructive if it develops into real systems that improve transparency and trust in public procurement.
Anti-corruption experts have also recognized the potential of AI in minimizing graft. Dr. Andi Hoxhaj of King’s College London, a specialist in the Western Balkans, corruption, and the rule of law, noted that “AI is still a new tool – but if it is programmed correctly, when you put a bid in online, you can see clearly and more closely if a company meets the conditions and the criteria.” He highlighted Albania’s progress in EU accession talks and the EU’s emphasis on addressing corruption as a key precondition, stating, “There’s a lot at stake. The main precondition from the EU has been to address corruption. If [Diella] is a vehicle or mechanism that could be used towards that goal, it’s worth exploring.” Dr. Hoxhaj believes Albania’s rapid progress in EU accession talks and encouragement from Brussels to complete the negotiations by 2027 mean that the country has a powerful incentive to tackle graft.
Prime Minister Rama acknowledged the publicity element of the appointment but insisted on its serious intent. “It puts pressure on other members of the cabinet and national agencies to run and think differently. This is the biggest advantage I’m expecting from this minister,” he stated, suggesting that AI could eventually replace ministers’ jobs. He sees Diella as a catalyst for change, pushing other government officials to adopt new, more efficient, and transparent methods.
The appointment of Diella as minister for public procurement underscores Albania’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance governance and combat corruption, aligning with its efforts to meet EU accession requirements. While the initiative has faced some criticism, it also presents an opportunity to explore the potential of AI in promoting transparency and accountability in public administration.
