Albania Adds AI ‘Minister’ to Cabinet in Bid to Fight Corruption

Albania has sworn in a new kind of government official — an artificial intelligence “minister” designed to promote transparency and reform.

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Friday that his cabinet will now include Diella, a virtual minister created in cooperation with Microsoft. Rama said Diella’s role will be to combat corruption, streamline state services, and ensure every public tender is fully traceable.

“Diella is the first member not physically present, but virtually created by artificial intelligence,” Rama told party members, calling the system “100 percent incorruptible.”

Introduced earlier this year on Albania’s e-Albania digital platform, Diella is portrayed in traditional Albanian dress and has already processed nearly one million public service requests, according to officials. The government insists her algorithms rely on the most advanced AI tools available.

The announcement comes as Rama’s Socialist Party, fresh off its fourth consecutive election win with 83 out of 140 seats in parliament, seeks to strengthen Albania’s case for European Union membership by 2027. EU leaders have long pressed Tirana to crack down on corruption and organized crime.

But not everyone is convinced. The opposition Democratic Party, which secured 50 seats, blasted the move as unlawful. Parliamentary leader Gazmend Bardhi dismissed the AI minister as “buffoonery,” insisting it cannot be treated as legitimate policy.

Lawmakers are expected to vote soon on Rama’s cabinet, though it remains unclear whether Diella’s role will be included in the formal ballot.