Albania has broken new ground by appointing an artificial intelligence bot, Diella, as minister in charge of public procurement.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, preparing for his fourth term, introduced Diella on Thursday and described her as resistant to “bribes, threats, or attempts to curry favour”.
“Diella is the first cabinet member who isn’t physically present but is virtually created by AI,” Rama said while unveiling his cabinet.
He declared that her work would help ensure Albania becomes “a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption”.
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Public procurement has long been marred by corruption scandals in Albania, where organised crime groups are accused of laundering proceeds from drugs and weapons through state contracts.
The entanglement of politics and corruption has slowed Albania’s attempt to join the European Union, with its stated goal of membership by 2030 described as optimistic by analysts.
Authorities have not explained how much human supervision will guide Diella’s tasks or the safeguards that will prevent misuse of the system.
Earlier this year, Diella was introduced on the e-Albania portal as a digital assistant to help citizens and companies obtain official papers more quickly.
She appears in traditional Albanian dress, responds to spoken instructions, and issues electronically signed documents aimed at cutting red tape.
Reactions among citizens remain cautious, with one Facebook user remarking, “Even Diella will be corrupted in Albania.”
Another commented, “Stealing will continue, and Diella will be blamed.”
The newly elected parliament is expected to meet on Friday, though it is unclear whether Rama’s cabinet will face a confidence vote the same day.
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