- Albania has introduced the world’s first AI-generated government minister, named Diella, to its national cabinet.
- Prime Minister Edi Rama unveiled Diella as a symbol of transparency and innovation, assigning it to tackle corruption.
- Diella, depicted as a woman in traditional Albanian dress, delivered a virtual address to parliament.
- Opposition lawmakers protested, arguing the move was unconstitutional and potentially dangerous.
- Despite objections, the programme passed with 82 votes in favour out of 140.
- Diella was developed in partnership with Microsoft and is part of Albania’s push toward EU membership.
- The bot’s presence marks a bold experiment in digital governance and political symbolism.
In a move that has stunned political observers and sparked heated debate, Albania has become the first country to appoint an AI-generated minister to its national cabinet. The digital figure, named Diella—derived from the Albanian word for “sun”—was introduced to parliament by Prime Minister Edi Rama as the new state minister for artificial intelligence.
Diella made her debut with a three-minute video address, appearing on dual screens in traditional Albanian attire. Her speech emphasized service, transparency, and the absence of personal ambition—qualities Rama says are essential in the fight against corruption.
But not everyone was convinced. Opposition lawmakers objected fiercely, arguing that Diella’s lack of citizenship and human status violates constitutional norms. They banged on tables during the presentation and boycotted the vote, but the programme passed with a comfortable majority.
Developed in partnership with Microsoft, Diella is powered by advanced AI models and overseen by Albania’s National Agency for Information Society. Her role is not symbolic alone—she is expected to assist in policy execution, data analysis, and public accountability.
The appointment is part of Rama’s broader strategy to showcase Albania’s tech-forward ambitions as it pushes toward European Union membership within five years. Whether Diella becomes a model for future governance or a cautionary tale remains to be seen, but her arrival marks a turning point in the intersection of politics and artificial intelligence.
