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Minister Diella addresses Albanian parliament.
Credit: Credit: Kuvendi parliament of Albania
Diella, Albania’s AI-powered hi-tech government minister, made a stunning debut on September 18 in the Albanian parliament, sparking a storm of controversy over constitutionality and innovation.
Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced The world’s very first artificially-intelligent minister will oversee public tenders and promises “100% corruption-free” decision. Diella (Albanian for “sun”) appeared as a woman dressed in traditional clothing, declaring “I am here not to replace people but to help them.”
The announcement last week is an attempt to improve transparency in Albania, after a number of accusations were made against the government. Albania ranks 80th among 180 countries according to Transparency International’s corruption index. Diella was launched as a virtual secretary for the government in January. e-Albania platform, which now manages public tender decisions in order to eliminate private bribery agreements. The AI role was deemed “unconstitutional” by opposition legislators who smashed tables and boycotted voting on the government programme.
The opposition mocks the new AI Minister in Albania
Sali Berisha – a former prime minister who was himself accused of corrupt practices – dismissed Diella and said it was a publicity stunt. He also promised to contest its appointment at the Constitutional Court. Despite the opposition’s boycott, the government’s plan was eventually adopted.
AI in government decision making is becoming more prevalent. Singapore uses AI for urban planning and resource distribution, while Estonia uses AI driven systems to deliver public services, including tax processing. AI is used in the UAE to assist in policy analysis, which improves government efficiency. All of these examples highlight AI’s increasing role in reducing bias and improving transparency. Albania is the only country to have appointed a virtual robotic minister.
Next, the Constitutional Court reviews the opposition’s challenges to Diella’s legality. This could be the first time AI has been used in government. Diella will be implemented by the Rama administration in order to boost Albania’s EU bid for 2030. The controversy is another example of tensions between technology innovation and traditional government as Albania strives to modernise.
