Last Thursday, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama appointed Diella, an artificial intelligence system, as “virtual minister” to manage public procurement. This marks the first time in the world that an AI has been given a public office.

Diella, the Albanian artificial intelligence

“Diella,” which means “sunshine” in Albanian, is an AI system developed by Albania’s National Agency for Information Society (AKSHI). It was introduced in January 2025 as a virtual assistant integrated into the Albanian portal e-Albania. Its initial role was to help citizens and businesses interact with the digital public administration, obtain documents online, and navigate services after logging in (using Albanian VAT/tax ID and password).

Today, it issues digital documents with electronic signatures, responds through both voice and text interfaces, and guides users through e-Albania’s services. Diella also has an avatar: a female figure dressed in traditional Albanian clothing, with a digital face and voice that interact with users.

Rama appoints Diella Minister of Public Procurement

On Thursday, September 11, during the Socialist Party Assembly held at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the confirmed and outgoing ministers for his fourth term following the May 11 elections, as well as the appointment of Diella as the government’s only non-human minister.

“Diella is the first member not physically present, but virtually created by artificial intelligence“, said the Prime Minister, emphasizing that its mission will be to ensure corruption-free tenders and guarantee that all public funds involved in procurement processes are handled transparently.

Diella is the world’s first AI appointed as Minister

“If properly trained, Diella could help increase transparency and citizens’ trust in Albanian institutions, as well as attract foreign investments”, commented Rutigliano, president of Assecomm. “Automating or simplifying processes such as objective evaluations, data analysis on public tenders, submission and verification of bids can reduce time, errors, and improper discretion, as well as prevent the waste of public money“.

“The introduction of an AI into a government is a unique innovation in the global political landscape: no other country has so far appointed a ‘virtual’ minister responsible for such a sensitive sector as procurement. Therefore, Albania can be seen as a pioneer and a model for other governments interested in AI in public administration“.

Diella’s sensitive role according to Rutigliano, President of Assecomm

“Diella will hold an important yet delicate role that raises possible critical issues in cases of errors”, Rutigliano continued. “Who will be accountable for incorrect assessments or biases in Diella’s decision-making processes? For transparency, will it be necessary to make public the AI’s operating criteria? Who will verify the accuracy and reliability of the data collected and used by Diella to make decisions? In complex contexts, should—or must—a human being be involved in making judgments? Can Diella, as a non-human entity, hold public office without violating the law?“.

“All these issues, along with those of regulation and ethical standards, are highly relevant today, and Assecomm, the association I represent, will provide its technical opinion and expertise on the matter”.

The future of Diella and AI

Diella represents a highly ambitious experiment: using artificial intelligence not just as a tool but as an integral part of a government structure, with real authority over public procurement.

If well designed, monitored, and governed, it could become a turning point in administrative transparency and potentially be extended to other sensitive sectors (financial control, resource management, healthcare procurement, infrastructure, etc.). However, it does not come without challenges: oversight, accountability, technical clarity, and civic acceptance are all crucial.