(PC:officechai)
In a move that has stunned political observers and tech skeptics alike, Albania has become the first country in the world to appoint an artificial intelligence entity as a cabinet minister, tasking it with one of the nation’s most sensitive missions: eliminating corruption in public procurement.
The AI minister, named Diella—meaning “sun” in Albanian—is a virtual avatar trained to oversee government tenders, flag irregularities, and ensure full transparency in how public money is spent. Prime Minister Edi Rama, now serving his fourth term, unveiled Diella as “the servant of public procurement,” declaring that Albania must become “a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption.”
Diella: The Digital Watchdog
Diella operates through e-Albania, the country’s digital services portal, where she has already processed over 36,000 documents and facilitated nearly 1,000 services since her soft launch in January. Now elevated to ministerial status, she will:
- Evaluate bids for government contracts
- Hire independent experts to audit procurement
- Monitor every transaction for signs of fraud or favoritism
- Publish real-time updates to ensure public accountability
Unlike human ministers, Diella doesn’t sleep, doesn’t forget, and doesn’t bend to political pressure. Her decisions are based on algorithms trained to detect patterns of corruption and enforce procurement laws without bias.
A Radical Experiment in Governance
Albania’s public procurement system has long been criticized for its vulnerability to bribery and insider deals. By handing oversight to an incorruptible digital entity, Rama hopes to restore public trust and meet European Union standards as Albania pushes for accession by 2030. But the move has sparked debate. Critics question the transparency of Diella’s programming and warn of potential manipulation. Others worry about accountability: if Diella makes a mistake, who takes responsibility? Still, the symbolism is powerful. In a region often haunted by political scandal, Albania has chosen a minister with no pulse—and no mercy.
Public Reaction: Awe and Unease
Social media reactions have ranged from admiration to satire. Some citizens hail Diella as a futuristic solution to an age-old problem. Others joke, “Even Diella will be corrupted in Albania.” But beneath the humor lies a serious question: can a machine succeed where generations of politicians have failed? For now, Diella stands alone in the cabinet—silent, tireless, and watching.