Albania made headlines by appointing Diella, the world’s first AI‑generated minister, to oversee public procurement. The virtual minister, whose name means “sun” in Albanian, was formally introduced in September 2025 after a presidential decree allowed Prime Minister Edi Rama to create a digital cabinet member. Diella’s primary mission is to eliminate corruption in government tenders, promising “100 % corruption‑free” processes by relying on data‑driven decisions rather than human discretion .¹ ² ³
Originally launched in January 2025 as a chatbot on the e‑Albania portal, Diella evolved into a full‑fledged minister after the rollout of version 2.0, which added voice interaction and an animated avatar dressed in traditional Albanian attire. The AI has already processed over 36,000 digital documents and delivered nearly 1,000 services, showcasing its capacity to streamline bureaucratic workflows. Its role now includes evaluating bids, awarding contracts, and ensuring transparency in public spending .⁴ ⁵
The appointment has sparked intense debate. Supporters argue that an algorithm can remove human bias and improve accountability, aligning with Albania’s goal to join the EU by 2030. Critics, however, raise concerns about accountability gaps, cybersecurity risks, and the lack of a clear legal framework for a non‑human minister. Opposition MPs have labeled Diella “unconstitutional” and questioned who will oversee the AI, prompting calls for constitutional review and greater parliamentary scrutiny .⁶ ⁷ ⁸
Despite the controversy, Diella’s debut marks a bold experiment in governance. As the first AI minister globally, it challenges traditional notions of public office and sets a precedent for other nations exploring AI in administration. Whether it succeeds in delivering corruption‑free procurement will depend on robust oversight, transparent decision‑making, and ongoing refinement of the technology .
