Albania is trying something truly different to fight corruption. Prime Minister Edi Rama has brought an artificial intelligence program into his cabinet. This new “minister” is named Diella, a word that means “sun” in Albanian. The goal is to bring much-needed light to dark corners of government spending.
Prime Minister Rama shared on social media that Diella is not a real person. She exists only in the digital world. Her main job will be to ensure that government buying processes are completely free of corruption. The hope is that Diella will also help the government run quicker and more openly.
For a long time, public contracts have been a hotbed of scandal and dishonest dealings in the country. Experts say Albania has become a central point for criminal groups. These groups often try to clean money from illegal drug and weapon sales from around the globe. This widespread corruption has spread through many levels of power. It makes Albania’s dream of joining the European Union much harder. Mr. Rama wants this to happen by 2030, but many political experts believe it will be a tough climb.
Diella was created through a partnership with Microsoft. It uses advanced AI methods to make sure its work is accurate and fair. Prime Minister Rama thinks Diella can cut through old ways of thinking, fears, and slow government rules. This could make how the government manages its affairs much better.
Before becoming a “minister,” Diella was already helping people. She served as a virtual helper, dressed in traditional Albanian clothing. In that role, she guided citizens through more than a million digital documents on the e-Albania public services platform.
This move to appoint an AI minister has raised eyebrows. The opposition has asked if such an appointment even follows the country’s laws. It seems a legal process will be needed to officially decide Diella’s place in government.
Prime Minister Rama’s Socialist Party recently won its fourth election in a row. He aims to bring Albania into the European Union within five years. He hopes to wrap up negotiations by 2027. However, critics in the opposition say the country is simply not ready for such a big step.
Source: Reuters