In a historic move, Albania has become the first country in the world to appoint an AI-powered government minister. The virtual cabinet member, named Diella, has been tasked with overseeing public tenders and ensuring the government’s operations remain transparent and free of corruption.
Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced Diella while unveiling his new cabinet, emphasizing her unprecedented role. “Diella is the first cabinet member who isn’t physically present, but is virtually created by AI,” Rama said. “She will help make Albania a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption.” Rama, who recently secured his fourth term as prime minister, added that Diella would be entrusted with all decisions related to public tenders, making the use of public funds “perfectly transparent.”
The appointment marks a bold step as Albania continues its efforts to curb corruption, a persistent challenge in its public administration system. The initiative is seen as part of Rama’s broader ambition to position Albania for European Union membership by 2030, a goal that requires significant governance reforms and improved accountability.
Diella is not entirely new to Albanian citizens. She was first launched in January on the e-Albania platform as a virtual assistant helping citizens and businesses access government documents and services. Dressed in traditional attire, she has already issued 36,600 digital documents and facilitated nearly 1,000 services, earning recognition for her efficiency.
What began as a simple virtual assistant has now evolved into a global first — the world’s first AI minister — symbolizing a groundbreaking experiment in the intersection of technology and governance. Diella’s role could serve as a model for other nations seeking innovative solutions to address corruption, increase transparency, and enhance citizen trust in public institutions.
This development has sparked global interest, with observers closely watching whether Diella’s appointment will deliver measurable improvements in governance and become a precedent for AI-driven policymaking in the future.
