Albania makes history with first-ever AI government minister: Meet Diella

With the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) into every pore of our everyday lives, it was only a matter of time before it entered politics, and Albania is the first to appoint an AI-generated minister in an effort to reduce corruption and increase transparency of its government.

Specifically, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the appointment of Diella, which means ‘sunshine’ in Albanian, as a member of his new cabinet, alongside the human staff, at a meeting of the Socialist Party in Tirana, according to a report by Politico on September 11.

Diella sheds light on public procurements

Indeed, as he told party members, the AI minister, who on the e-Albania portal is represented as a young woman dressed in traditional Albanian attire, will be responsible for public procurements, in line with his earlier musings that the country would one day have a digital minister (and perhaps even an AI prime minister). 

According to Rama:

“Diella is the first (government) member who is not physically present, but virtually created by artificial intelligence.”

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Furthermore, Rama stated that Diella would take the decision-making process around tenders “out of the ministries.” He also said that the process will take place “step-by-step,” but that Albania will be a place where public tenders are “100% incorruptible and where every public fund that goes through the tender procedure is 100% legible.”

As he added:

“This is not science fiction, but the duty of Diella.”

Additionally, the Albanian Prime Minister announced the news on his Facebook page as well, where he wrote:

“Good morning and Happy Sunday, your Zadrimo assistant who has just emerged from the AKSHI Artificial Intelligence incubator and for several months will be ready not only to assist you during your interaction with the e-Albania platform but also to perform services for you with a single prayer, I wish you the most peaceful Sunday possible.”

Meanwhile, Albanian media praised the move, calling it “a major transformation in the way the Albanian government conceives and exercises administrative power, introducing technology not only as a tool, but also as an active participant in governance.”

Elsewhere, AI is not always a welcome sight in governments, as research has suggested that several members of the British parliament have been relying on the technology to write their speeches, supposedly evident through the recurring use of certain words and phrases nowadays ascribed to AI’s patterns of expression.