Highlights – For the first time in the world, a country has appointed a virtual minister with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The European country of Albania has included an artificial intelligence minister in its government to fight corruption and bring transparency in government work.
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For the first time in the world, a country has appointed a virtual minister with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The European country of Albania has included an artificial intelligence minister in its government to fight corruption and bring transparency in government work. The name of this virtual female minister is ‘Dila’, which means ‘sun’.
Prime Minister Edi Rama himself made the announcement and said that she will be a member of the cabinet, but will not be physically present like a human. Diela is an AI-powered virtual bot that will work to ensure transparency in government contracts. The government claims that the initiative will help prevent corruption by 100%.
The first digital assistant – Diela is now a minister.
Diela was first introduced as an AI digital assistant on the e-Albania platform in January 2025. She is designed as a woman wearing traditional Albanian clothing. Her main task was to help citizens access government services and documents online.
So far, with the help of Diela –
36,600 digital documents have been issued,
and around 1,000 government services have been made available to citizens.
Albania is fighting corruption
Albania has long faced serious allegations of corruption in government contracts, drug and arms trafficking, and money laundering by international criminals. Experts believe that the move is not only an attempt to improve the system within the country, but is also linked to the country’s bid for European Union (EU) membership.
Is the appointment of an AI minister unconstitutional?
When President Bajram Begum was asked whether the appointment of an AI minister was constitutional, he did not give a direct answer. However, Prime Minister Rama’s Socialist Party won a majority of 83 out of 140 seats in the recent elections. This means that he can form a government and pass general laws. But he would need 93 seats to change the constitution.
Albania is moving towards EU membership
Albania’s ruling Socialist Party has pledged to make the country a member of the European Union by 2027. Talks to gain EU membership began a year ago. But opposition parties say the country is not yet ready.
It is clear that Diala’s appointment is not just a technical experiment, but part of a political and administrative reform. It remains to be seen whether AI technology can truly rid Albania of corruption, or whether it will just be a propaganda campaign.
