Albania has made history by becoming the first country in the world to appoint a government minister created and managed by artificial intelligence. The virtual minister, named Diella – meaning “sunshine” in Albanian – will oversee all public procurement processes in the country.
As reported by renewz.de and highlighted by The WP Times, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the move during a Socialist Party meeting in Tirana. Rama outlined which ministers would remain in office, which would be dismissed, and introduced Diella as the only member of the cabinet not physically present but entirely powered by AI.
“Diella is the first member of the party not physically in attendance, but virtually created by artificial intelligence,” Rama told delegates. He stressed that Albania would become a country where public tenders are “100% corruption-free” and where every state fund involved in procurement is managed with “100% transparency.”
The Albanian public is already familiar with Diella, as she has been available through e-Albania, a digital platform providing access to nearly all government services. The virtual avatar presents itself as a young woman dressed in traditional Albanian attire.
Why AI in government matters
For months, Rama has promoted artificial intelligence as a tool to fight corruption and strengthen transparency, arguing that it could soon become the most effective element of the Albanian government. Fighting corruption is also a key requirement for Albania’s accession to the European Union, making the initiative both symbolic and strategic.
Currently, AI is used to manage complex procurement processes, monitor tax and customs operations in real time, and detect irregularities. Smart drones and satellite systems powered by AI already track illegal construction, public beaches, and cannabis plantations in rural areas.
The government is also planning to use AI in road safety through facial recognition technology that alerts drivers via their mobile phones when speeding, and automatically issues fines. Future applications include healthcare, education, and digital identity management.
Prime Minister Rama insisted that this was not “science fiction” but a practical response to Albania’s most pressing challenges.
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