Albania has appointed an artificial intelligence bot named Diella to manage the country’s public procurement process, in a bid to curb corruption in government contracting.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, unveiling his new cabinet ahead of a fourth term, said Diella — whose name means “sun” in Albanian — will award and manage tenders in which the government hires private companies for projects.
“Diella is the first cabinet member who isn’t physically present, but is virtually created by AI,” Rama said. “She will help make Albania a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption.”
Public procurement has long been a source of graft scandals in Albania, complicating its ambitions to join the European Union by 2030. Critics, however, questioned whether an AI system could truly resist manipulation in a country where corruption is deeply entrenched.
Diella was first introduced earlier this year on the e-Albania platform as a virtual assistant, providing citizens with state documents through voice commands and reducing bureaucratic delays. She is presented in traditional Albanian attire and issues electronically stamped documents.
Reactions have been mixed. While officials tout the move as a step toward transparency, some citizens remain skeptical. One Facebook user quipped, “Even Diella will be corrupted in Albania.”
The new parliament, elected in May, is expected to convene Friday, though it remains unclear when Rama’s cabinet will be formally approved.
