Albania introduces world’s first AI minister to curb corruption, says PM Rama

In a world where politicians are often accused of being "heartless," Albania has embraced the label by appointing an artificial intelligence as a minister.

This is not a minister for AI, but rather a cabinet member entirely created by AI. Known by a single name, Diella—which means “sun” in Albanian—she was unveiled by Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday, shortly after he began his fourth term following May’s election victory.

The appointment, however, is symbolic. Albania’s constitution requires that ministers must be adult citizens deemed mentally competent.

Even so, Rama highlighted the advantages of a digital minister. Diella cannot leak sensitive information, will never be implicated in a financial scandal, and the only “power” she consumes is electricity. She has been tasked with overseeing public procurement, with Rama pledging to make Albania “a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption.”

"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," Rama told the BBC. "Not only will we wipe out every potential influence on public biddings – we will also make the process much faster, much more efficient and totally accountable."

Diella is not entirely new to public service. She first appeared as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania portal, helping citizens apply for official documents. Rama noted that she has already "helped more than a million applications." But he envisions far more, saying Albania can “leapfrog” larger nations still bound by “traditional ways of working.”

Reactions have been mixed. The opposition Democratic Party dismissed the initiative as “ridiculous” and “unconstitutional.” Others see potential. Aneida Bajraktari Bicja of Balkans Capital observed that Rama “often mixes reform with theatrics,” but added the AI initiative “could be constructive if it develops into real systems that improve transparency and trust in public procurement.”

Experts also see promise. Dr Andi Hoxhaj of King’s College London said, "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 stressed that Albania’s EU accession push makes tackling corruption vital: "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."

Rama admits there is an element of showmanship in appointing an AI minister but insists there is also substance. "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 said.

For now, Diella may be the only “minister” in the world who is powered by code rather than politics—but her presence could be a sign of things to come.