Albania has appointed an AI-generated government minister who will avoid getting corrupted

For government leaders, being called “heartless” often comes with the job. But Albania has taken that label literally — by adding an AI program to its cabinet.

This new “minister” isn’t a human overseeing artificial intelligence. She is artificial intelligence, introduced simply as Diella. Prime Minister Edi Rama unveiled her on Thursday, just months after securing a fourth term in office.

The appointment is symbolic rather than legal, since Albania’s constitution requires ministers to be adult citizens in sound mind. Still, Rama framed Diella’s role as more than a stunt. Her portfolio is public procurement, where the government hopes she will eliminate corruption and speed up the tendering process.

“Not only will we wipe out any potential influence on bidding,” Rama said, “we will make the process faster, more efficient, and fully accountable.” Diella, whose name means “sun” in Albanian, is already familiar to citizens: she previously served as a chatbot helping over a million people apply for official documents on the e-Albania platform.

Rama argues that integrating AI into government could let Albania leapfrog larger, more established nations still tied to traditional systems. Critics, however, have dismissed the move as “ridiculous” and unconstitutional, while supporters see potential if the program evolves into real, transparent systems.

Anti-corruption advocates note that AI could play a meaningful role in limiting graft, while business leaders suggest Rama’s blend of reform and theatrics may still push institutions toward greater accountability. Whether Diella becomes a gimmick or a genuine tool of governance remains to be seen.