Fiza Nadeem / Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan
Government officials are often called “heartless.” Albania has turned this insult into something new by appointing an AI minister. This is not a minister for artificial intelligence, but a cabinet member created by AI. The minister is called Diella, known by a single name like a pop star.
Albania Appoints AI Minister Diella
Prime Minister Edi Rama presented her in September 2025 as part of his new cabinet, four months after winning his fourth term in the May elections. The avatar appeared as a woman in traditional Albanian dress. She told MPs,
“I am not here to replace people but to help them. I have no citizenship, but I also have no personal ambition or interests. I follow the same values as my human colleagues, maybe even more.”
Opposition lawmakers objected. They said the move was unconstitutional because the bot is not human, has no Albanian nationality, and could even increase corruption. They hit their tables during the video and boycotted the vote. But the programme still passed with 82 votes in favour out of 140 in parliament.
However, the appointment is only symbolic, since the Albanian constitution requires ministers to be human citizens, at least 18 years old, and mentally fit.
The benefits of choosing a bot over a human are clear. Diella, whose name means “sun” in Albanian, will not leak government secrets. She will only need electricity to run. She also cannot be involved in expense scandals.
Why an AI Minister
Prime Minister Rama focused on corruption when he made Diella the minister for public procurement. Her job is to help make Albania a place where all public tenders are free from corruption. Rama said that his team is building the first full AI model for public procurement. He said it will remove outside influence, speed up the process, make it more efficient, and ensure accountability.
Before her “appointment,” Diella had already been used in Albania as an AI assistant. She helped people apply for official documents. Rama says Diella has helped over one million applications on the e-Albania platform. But he wants AI in government to go beyond a simple chatbot. He believes Albania can “leapfrog” larger nations that still rely on traditional systems. Reactions to Diella’s role are mixed.
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Divided Reactions
The opposition Democratic Party has called it “ridiculous” and “unconstitutional.” Others see some hope. Aneida Bajraktari Bicja, founder of Balkans Capital, said Rama often blends reform with theatrics, so many wonder if this is only symbolism. Still, she believes the “AI minister” could bring real value if it creates systems that improve transparency and trust in public procurement.
Anti-corruption experts also see potential. Dr. Andi Hoxhaj of King’s College London explained that AI, if programmed properly, can make online bidding clearer and ensure companies meet the right conditions and criteria.
EU Pressure and Opportunity
He believes Albania’s fast progress in EU talks, and pressure from Brussels to finish negotiations by 2027, gives the country a strong reason to fight corruption. He says the EU’s main condition is to address graft. If Diella can help meet that goal, it is worth trying. Rama admits there is some publicity in this move. But he also says the idea is serious. He explains that it will push cabinet members and agencies to think and work differently. That, he says, is the biggest benefit he expects from this minister.
Diella was created earlier this year with help from Microsoft. It uses the latest AI models and methods to perform its duties accurately, according to Albania’s National Agency for Information Society. The project is part of Rama’s wider plan to showcase Albania’s tech progress as the country works toward EU membership, which it aims to achieve within five years. In short, other ministers should take note — AI could be next in their jobs.
