World’s First Ai Minister Will Fight Corruption In Albania
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has made history by appointing the world’s first artificial intelligence “minister” to fight corruption. The minister, named Diella – meaning “sun” in Albanian – is not an official cabinet member but has been tasked with ensuring that public tenders are “100% free of corruption.” Previously serving as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania platform, Diella had already guided over one million applications. Rama stated that this AI-driven move will not only make the procurement process faster and more efficient, but also fully accountable.
However, the appointment of an AI minister has sparked mixed reactions. The opposition denounced the move as “unconstitutional,” arguing that ministers must be at least 18 years old and mentally competent citizens, requirements Diella cannot meet. Experts, on the other hand, emphasize that AI – if programmed correctly – could strengthen transparency and trust in public procurement. For Albania, which aims to conclude EU accession talks by 2027, tackling corruption remains the most critical precondition. While Rama admitted that the appointment carries an element of “showmanship,” he stressed that the true goal is to create a new culture of governance within state institutions.