Albania appoints world’s first AI minister to fight corruption

Politico reports. 

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Diella’s appointment on Thursday during the Socialist Party assembly in Tirana, where he also outlined changes to the human members of his cabinet. 

“Diella is the first member not physically present, but virtually created by artificial intelligence,” Rama told party members.

Rama explained that Diella will take over decision-making on tenders “out of the ministries” and serve as “the servant of public procurement.” He emphasized that while the rollout will be gradual, the goal is for Albania to have public tenders that are “100 percent incorruptible” and for every fund processed through these tenders to be “100 percent legible.” “This is not science fiction, but the duty of Diella,” he added.

Diella has already been integrated into Albania’s e-Albania platform, giving citizens access to nearly all government services online. She even has a digital avatar, appearing as a young woman in traditional Albanian dress. Her responsibilities include evaluating tenders and recruiting talent globally, with the aim of reducing bias and bureaucracy in public administration.

Albania has long struggled with corruption, especially in public procurement, an issue repeatedly flagged in European Union rule of law reports. Rama, who secured a historic fourth term in May 2025, has campaigned on a platform of EU accession by 2030, and the appointment of an AI minister signals his push toward digital governance and transparency.