Albania on Friday formally introduced a digital minister as part of its government, aiming to use artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline administrative processes and combat corruption.
The AI, named Diella, meaning sun in Albanian was incorporated into the Cabinet of Prime Minister Edi Rama after a parliamentary vote by his Socialist Party majority, in spite of opposition criticism.
While Diella does not appear as a minister on the official Cabinet list of President Bajram Begaj, the document states that Rama is responsible for the establishment and operation of the virtual Minister for Artificial Intelligence ‘Diella.
Previously a chatbot on government websites, Diella is visually represented as a woman in traditional Albanian dress, modelled on actress Anila Bisha, according to Albanian media.
Rama said the AI would bring together the country’s top talents, Albanians in the diaspora, and foreign experts and transform institutions into AI development platforms.
During a parliamentary session, Diella spoke via video, introducing herself as the state minister for artificial intelligence, saying her mission was to facilitate government work daily.
Experts and opposition politicians consider it problematic that AI is now set to make administrative decisions.
IT expert Erjon Curraj wrote in the online magazine Balkan Insight that AI could assist in public procurement but emphasised accountability must rest with humans.
Opposition leader Gazment Bardhi called Diella a propaganda fantasy designed to mask government corruption.
He previously called the move unconstitutional, noting that the constitution stipulates that ministers must be Albanian citizens, of legal age and mentally fit.
