Albania has become the first country to appoint an artificial intelligence–powered minister, a virtual figure named Diella, who has been assigned to oversee public procurement.
Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced Diella on September 11 during the Socialist Party’s assembly in Tirana, describing her as the first non-human member of government. “Diella is the first member not physically present but virtually created by artificial intelligence,” Rama was quoted by Politico.
The AI-powered minister is already active on Albania’s digital services portal, where citizens can submit requests via voice commands. Her role is expected to include reviewing tenders, managing procurement processes, and supporting efforts to reduce corruption in government spending.
Earlier this year, Rama had suggested that Albania might one day have a digital or AI-based minister, but the announcement came earlier than many anticipated. Officials say the move is intended to improve efficiency and limit opportunities for bribery in public administration.
However, authorities have not provided details on human oversight of the system, raising questions about accountability and data security.
Albania, which has faced longstanding challenges with corruption in procurement, is positioning Diella as part of a broader push to modernise governance using technology.
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