AI Public Procurement Minister in Albania
In a groundbreaking initiative, Albania has appointed a digital assistant named Diella as its first AI cabinet minister, tasked with overseeing public procurement. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced this unique approach on September 11, 2025, highlighting the government’s commitment to combating corruption within public services.
Diella, named meaning “Sun” in Albanian, has been functioning since January as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania online portal. This innovative AI system assists users with navigating government services through voice commands, effectively handling approximately 95% of citizen services digitally. Rama heralded Diella as the pioneer of a new governmental paradigm, emphasizing its role in ensuring that public tenders are devoid of corruption.
During a ruling Socialist party conference in Tirana, Rama articulated his vision of a government where decision-making regarding public tender winners would progressively shift from human ministries to automated processes overseen by Diella. He remarked, “This is a step-by-step process to ensure that all public spending in the tender process is 100% transparent and clear.” This bold statement reflects Rama’s aspiration to deploy AI as a potent weapon against the endemic corruption that has long plagued Albanian governance.
As a revolutionary development, Diella will scrutinize each public tender involving contracts with private firms, evaluating their merits objectively. The Prime Minister, who was re-elected in May, has consistently advocated for AI as a means to eliminate bribery, threats, and conflicts of interest. Given that public tenders have historically been at the forefront of corruption scandals in Albania—a country that has struggled with organized crime and governmental graft—this initiative symbolizes hope for a transformed administrative landscape.
The Albanian media has lauded this endeavor as a significant transformation, recognizing technology not as a mere tool, but as an active participant in governance. Nonetheless, skepticism remains among some citizens. One Facebook user stated, “In Albania, even Diella will be corrupted,” reflecting a deep-seated mistrust in the efficacy of AI to navigate the complexities of human morality in governance.