For government officials, being called heartless is an occupational hazard. But Albania has chosen to turn that insult into a positive quality by appointing an AI minister.
Not a minister for artificial intelligence but rather a cabinet member who is, literally, the work of AI. The new addition is known simply by the single name: Diella.
Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced her as a member of his new cabinet on Thursday, four months after securing his fourth term in office in May elections.
However, the move was symbolic rather than official, as Albania's constitution insists that government ministers must be mentally competent citizens aged at least 18.
Still, the advantages of appointing a bot over a human are obvious. Diella, whose name means sun in Albanian, is unlikely to be the source of any unflattering leaks about the government. She will only be power-hungry in the sense of the electricity she consumes, and a damaging expenses scandal would appear to be out of the question.
In fact, corruption was uppermost in Rama's mind when he made Diella part of his team as minister for public procurement. Her role will be to ensure that Albania becomes a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption.
We're working with a brilliant team, which is not only Albanian but also international, to come out with the first full AI model in public procurement, the prime minister told the BBC.
Diella had already been working in Albania even before the government appointment, guiding applicants through processes to obtain official documents.
Rama boasts that Diella has helped more than a million applications on the e-Albania platform. But his vision is much grander than just a chatbot. He talks about leapfrogging bigger, more advanced countries locked into traditional workflows.
However, reactions to Diella's appointment are mixed. The opposition Democratic Party has labeled the initiative ridiculous and unconstitutional, while others express cautious optimism.
The founder of financial services company Balkans Capital notes that Edi Rama often mixes reform with theatrics, but this AI minister could be constructive if it leads to improved transparency in public procurement.
Experts point out the potential for AI to minimize graft if programmed correctly, enabling fairer bidding processes. Albania's rapid progress in EU accession talks provides a strong incentive to tackle corruption.
There's a lot at stake, says Dr. Andi Hoxhaj, a specialist from King's College London. If Diella can be a vehicle toward that goal, it's worth exploring.
Edi Rama acknowledges the publicity aspect but insists on serious intent, suggesting that the move puts pressure on cabinet members to innovate and think differently. In essence, AI might just be coming for their jobs too.
