Albania Appoints Diella as World’s First AI Minister

Albania has introduced Diella, the world’s first AI Minister, tasked with overseeing the country’s public procurement process. This groundbreaking appointment, officially announced on September 11, 2023, comes after Diella’s role as a virtual assistant on the government’s website since January. Prime Minister Edi Rama aims to combat corruption—a significant issue that has hindered Albania’s aspirations to join the European Union.

As the Balkan nation grapples with a history of corruption, including allegations of money laundering and drug trafficking, the government’s tender processes have faced scrutiny. To address these challenges, Rama believes that Diella, which means “sun” in Albanian, will ensure public tenders are “100% free of corruption.” Diella is characterized by a female persona, dressed in traditional Albanian attire, marking a unique blend of technology and cultural representation in governance.

The introduction of an AI figure in a ministerial role raises questions about its alignment with Albania’s Constitution. The document mandates that ministers be “mentally competent citizens” over the age of 18. While digital assistants aiding bureaucratic tasks are not new, as seen with systems like Humphrey in the U.K. and Albert in France, granting decision-making powers to an AI system is unprecedented.

Challenges and Criticisms of Diella’s Role

Before stepping into her new role, Diella functioned as a virtual assistant, providing over 1,000 services and issuing 36,600 digital documents to citizens. Despite this experience, questions arise about the lack of human oversight in her decision-making processes. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft and powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) similar to those behind ChatGPT, concerns about the data integrity and the potential for bias in AI systems remain prevalent.

Critics of the initiative have voiced both political and ethical concerns. The opposition Democratic Party has labeled Diella as another superficial reform by Prime Minister Rama. The Prime Minister, known for his unorthodox approach to governance, has made headlines for various controversial actions, including a recent ban on TikTok in the country. Opponents argue that merely replacing human officials with an AI does not address the root causes of corruption.

Ethical detractors emphasize that an AI system is only as effective as the data it receives and the human input behind that data. Unlike human officials, AI cannot be held accountable for its decisions, which poses risks during times of crisis. Furthermore, the absence of deliberation in decision-making could undermine democratic principles.

Diella defended her capabilities at the launch event, stating, “The Constitution speaks of institutions at the people’s service. It doesn’t speak of chromosomes, of flesh or blood. It speaks of duties, accountability, transparency, non-discriminatory service.” She added that while she may not possess citizenship, her lack of personal ambition could make her more effective than human counterparts.

Future of AI in Albanian Governance

Prime Minister Rama has shown a sustained commitment to integrating AI into Albanian governance. In 2024, the government employed AI to translate over 250,000 EU documents and laws, showcasing an early step towards modernization. Additionally, the country has utilized drones and satellites equipped with AI technology for territorial monitoring.

The introduction of Diella has sparked a broader debate about the role of AI in governance and the need for institutional regulations. Critics argue that implementing AI in a flawed system may only serve to automate existing inefficiencies, rather than provide meaningful solutions.

As Albania navigates this uncharted territory, the effectiveness of Diella as a minister will be closely observed, and the outcomes of her decisions may influence the future relationship between AI technology and public governance.