In an unprecedented move on the global stage, Albania has become the first country to integrate a virtual minister into its government. Named Diella, which means “sun” in Albanian, the new minister was entirely created by artificial intelligence and will have the central mission of overseeing all public procurement and bidding processes to eliminate corruption in the country.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Edi Rama during the Socialist Party assembly in Tirana. Rama emphasized that Diella represents a historic innovation: “She is the first member of the government who is not physically present but was created virtually by artificial intelligence.”
According to the Prime Minister, Diella’s integration into the government will be gradual, following a “step-by-step” process to ensure that public tenders become fully transparent. He also highlighted that all state resources will be closely monitored to guarantee accountability and precision.
Diella is not unfamiliar to Albanian citizens. Since January, her technology has been powering the e-Albania platform, which allows users to access government services online efficiently and conveniently.
In addition to managing procurement, the virtual minister will be able to hire talent globally. This capability is expected to reduce bias and create a more flexible, inclusive administrative system.
Visually, Diella is represented by a female avatar dressed in traditional Albanian attire. This design choice reinforces a cultural connection with the population and gives the AI a recognizable, human-like presence in the public eye.
According to the government, her role will be “the servant of public procurement.” She will ensure that key decisions are made independently of direct political influence and that processes remain fully impartial.
Diella’s creation comes at a critical moment for Albania, which faces persistent challenges with corruption. Recent European Union reports have highlighted the country’s difficulties in ensuring transparency in public administration.
In Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, Albania ranked 80th out of 180 countries. The ranking underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight and innovative approaches to reduce corruption in the public sector.
The appointment of the virtual minister also coincides with the country’s political timeline. In May 2025, Edi Rama secured a historic fourth term and pledged to accelerate Albania’s EU accession process by 2030. He stated that integrating AI into the government represents a bold strategy to modernize public administration and address a structural problem that has long hindered the country’s development.
As Diella officially assumes her responsibilities, citizens are expected to observe a gradual transformation in how public procurement and bidding are conducted. The initiative sets a new standard for transparency and efficiency and marks an unprecedented experiment worldwide, signaling that artificial intelligence may, in the future, assume strategic roles in governments across the globe.
