Albania puts AI-created ‘minister’ in charge of public procurement

In a groundbreaking move, Albania has appointed an artificial intelligence–created cabinet minister to oversee public procurement in an effort to root out corruption. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Thursday that the new minister, named Diella—which means Sun in Albanian—will manage the country’s tendering system, a process long plagued by allegations of graft.

Who is Diella?

Diella is a digital assistant that has been helping Albanian citizens since January via the government’s e-Albania portal, where she guides users through approximately 95% of available citizen services. Citizens interact with her through voice commands, allowing them to complete bureaucratic procedures without human intermediaries.

On the platform, Diella appears in traditional Albanian attire, symbolizing her role as a digital public servant. Now, she has become the world’s first AI cabinet member, tasked with one of the most sensitive responsibilities in government—ensuring fairness and transparency in public tenders.

Rama’s Vision for AI Governance

At the ruling Socialist Party conference in Tirana, Rama introduced the makeup of his fourth consecutive government, highlighting Diella’s appointment as a bold step toward tackling corruption.

He said the AI minister would become “the servant of public procurement”, gradually taking over the responsibility of awarding tenders from government ministries.

“Diella, the first cabinet member who is not physically present, but virtually created by AI, will help make Albania a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption,” Rama declared.

According to the prime minister, the system will be implemented step by step, removing human discretion from procurement decisions and placing them in the hands of an AI designed to assess bids objectively.

Tackling a History of Corruption

Public procurement has long been a major source of corruption scandals in Albania, a country often cited as a hub for international criminal networks engaged in drug and arms trafficking. Experts say corruption has reached into the highest levels of government, with tenders frequently manipulated to benefit politically connected companies.

Rama argued that with Diella in charge, the process will become fully transparent, eliminating opportunities for bribes, threats, or conflicts of interest.

A New Chapter in Governance

Diella’s role is not merely symbolic; she will review every government contract with private companies and evaluate them based on clear, predefined criteria, free from political or personal influence.

The move has already drawn attention within Albania. Local media praised the decision as “a major transformation in the way the Albanian government conceives and exercises administrative power, introducing technology not only as a tool, but also as an active participant in governance.”

Looking Ahead

Rama, who won re-election in May, has openly advocated for AI-driven reforms, seeing artificial intelligence as a practical solution for tackling systemic corruption.

If successful, Diella could become a model for other governments facing similar challenges, showing how AI can move beyond basic citizen services to play an active role in political decision-making.

For Albania, the experiment represents both a bold innovation and a test: whether technology can succeed where traditional institutions have failed in ensuring accountability and trust in governance.