Albania has introduced an artificial intelligence system, named Diella, as part of its cabinet in a move Prime Minister Edi Rama says will strengthen transparency in public procurement.
Unlike a minister for technology, Diella is herself an AI-powered “minister,” a symbolic appointment that challenges traditional government practices.
Rama, who secured a fourth term in May, presented Diella on Thursday.
While the appointment cannot be official under Albania’s constitution—which requires ministers to be adult citizens—her role is designed to combat corruption in public contracts.
The AI system will oversee tenders with the goal of making them entirely corruption-free, faster, and fully accountable.
Diella, meaning “sun” in Albanian, had already been active as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania platform, guiding more than one million applications for official documents.
Rama now envisions her as part of a broader strategy to “leapfrog” larger countries still tied to traditional systems.
The opposition has dismissed the move as “ridiculous” and unconstitutional, while business leaders and anti-corruption experts see potential if the AI is implemented effectively.
Analysts note that with Albania’s EU accession talks advancing, pressure to address corruption remains high, giving this initiative added weight.
Rama admits there is a theatrical element to the move but insists it also serves as motivation for human ministers to innovate.
For him, the AI appointment is not just a stunt—it is a signal that technology could play a greater role in reshaping governance.