In a move that has captured global attention, the Balkan nation of Albania has become the first country in the world to appoint an artificial intelligence to a cabinet-level position. Named Diella, which means “sun” in Albanian, this virtual minister is tasked with a critical mission: eradicating corruption in public procurement [citation:1][citation:9].

The appointment was made by Prime Minister Edi Rama, who introduced Diella as part of his new cabinet following his re-election for a fourth term. “Diella is the first cabinet member who isn’t physically present, but is virtually created by AI,” Rama stated, promising that under her oversight, Albania would become “a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption” [citation:5][citation:9].

A Sun to Illuminate Corruption

Diella’s primary role as Minister of Public Procurement targets a long-standing problem in Albania. The awarding of government contracts has frequently been a source of corruption scandals, with the country described by experts as a hub for international criminal networks seeking to launder money from drug and weapon trafficking [citation:5][citation:7]. This issue has been a significant hurdle in Albania’s ambitions to join the European Union, a goal Prime Minister Rama hopes to achieve by 2030 [citation:1][citation:3].

Rama envisions Diella as a transformative solution. By placing tender decisions in the hands of an AI, the government aims to eliminate the bribes, threats, and political favors that can influence human officials. Responsibility for deciding the winners of public tenders will be removed from ministries “step-by-step” and handled by Diella to ensure all public spending is “100% clear” [citation:5].

“This is not science fiction, but the duty of Diella.”— Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama [citation:1]

From Virtual Assistant to Cabinet Minister

Diella is not an entirely new creation. She was first launched in January 2025 as an AI-powered virtual assistant on the government’s e-Albania platform [citation:7]. In that role, she helped citizens and businesses navigate bureaucratic processes to obtain official documents through voice commands, significantly reducing delays [citation:9].

Official figures show that in her initial role, Diella had already helped issue over 36,000 digital documents and facilitated nearly 1,000 services through the platform [citation:7]. This established track record in handling public services provided a foundation for her expanded ministerial responsibilities.

Key Facts About Minister Diella

NameDiella (Meaning “Sun” in Albanian)PositionMinister of Public ProcurementNatureAI-powered Virtual MinisterAvatarAppears as a woman in traditional Albanian attire [citation:5]Previous RoleAI assistant on the e-Albania platform [citation:7]Primary GoalEliminate corruption in public tenders [citation:1]Stated EU GoalAlbania aims for EU accession by 2030 [citation:1]

A Global Reaction: Innovation or Stunt?

The appointment has drawn mixed reactions both domestically and internationally. Unsurprisingly, Albania’s political opposition has been highly critical. The Democratic Party labeled the initiative “ridiculous” and “unconstitutional,” arguing that the country’s constitution requires ministers to be citizens [citation:3].

When Diella made a symbolic debut address to parliament, opposition lawmakers banged on their tables in protest, causing the session to collapse after just 25 minutes [citation:10]. On social media, public skepticism was also evident, with one Facebook user joking, “In Albania, even Diella will be corrupted” [citation:5].

However, some analysts see potential in the move. Anti-corruption experts note that if programmed correctly, AI could minimize graft by ensuring that bidding companies meet all conditions and criteria transparently [citation:3]. The founder of Balkans Capital, Aneida Bajraktari Bicja, acknowledged that while Prime Minister Rama “often mixes reform with theatrics,” the AI minister “could be constructive if it develops into real systems that improve transparency and trust” [citation:3].

Lessons for a Pan-African Audience

Albania’s bold experiment offers a compelling case study for African nations grappling with similar challenges of corruption and the digital transformation of governance. The targeted use of AI in a specific, high-risk area like public procurement demonstrates a potential model for leveraging technology to strengthen the rule of law and public trust.

As many African countries continue their own journeys toward digital governance, Diella represents both the immense potential and the complex questions of this new era. Her success or failure will be watched closely, potentially illuminating a path toward more transparent and accountable institutions worldwide.

The road ahead for Minister Diella is uncharted. Constitutional questions remain unresolved, and the government has not detailed what human oversight mechanisms will exist for her decisions [citation:9]. Yet, as her name suggests, this digital “sun” has begun to shine a light on a new frontier in the intersection of technology and governance.