Albania has introduced a groundbreaking but controversial move in its fight against corruption: appointing an AI bot named Diella as its newest minister. Prime Minister Edi Rama, entering his fourth term, announced that Diella will oversee all public procurement tenders—contracts where the government hires private companies for major projects. Rama emphasized that this AI “cabinet member” is immune to bribes, threats, or favoritism, and pledged that Albania’s tenders will now be “100% free of corruption.” Public procurement has long been plagued by scandals in the country, which has developed a reputation as a hub for organized crime and money laundering. These issues have cast a shadow over Albania’s ambitions to join the European Union by 2030.

Diella, whose name means “sun” in Albanian, first appeared earlier this year as a digital assistant on the e-Albania platform, helping citizens access government documents and services. Designed in traditional attire and capable of responding to voice commands, she was seen as a tool to cut through bureaucracy. Now, she has been elevated to a far more powerful role, though the government has offered little detail on oversight or safeguards against AI manipulation. Some citizens remain skeptical, mocking on social media that “even Diella will be corrupted in Albania.” The move has sparked debate over whether AI can truly deliver transparency—or whether it will simply provide new ways to shift blame if corruption continues.

SOURCE: Reuters