Albania appoints AI bot as minister to combat graft in public procurement

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has introduced “Diela,” the world’s first AI-created minister, to oversee public procurement and eliminate corrupt practices.

Announced at a Socialist Party meeting after Rama’s landslide election victory in May 2025, this move aims to ensure transparency in a country where systemic corruption has long hindered progress.

Diela, meaning “sun” in Albanian, is part of Albania’s broader push for EU membership by 2030.

“Diela is the first government member who is not physically present but is virtually created by AI,” Rama stated, as reported by AFP.

Launched in January 2025 as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania platform, Diela, styled in traditional Albanian attire, has already issued 36,600 digital documents and provided nearly 1,000 services. Now tasked with managing public tenders, Diela is designed to make the process “100 percent corruption-free,” ensuring transparent allocation of public funds, according to Rama.

🇦🇱 Here's Diella, the new virtual AI Minister in Albania’s government. pic.twitter.com/3HwRnM9sWK
— kos_data (@kos_data) September 11, 2025

Albania’s uphill battle with corruption

Corruption remains a significant challenge for Albania, a Balkan nation of 2.8 million. Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Albania 98th out of 180 countries with a score of 37, reflecting persistent issues in public administration. Public procurement, in particular, has been a hotspot for graft, with a 2023 Balkan Insight investigation exposing irregularities in infrastructure contracts, including favoritism toward politically connected firms.

The European Commission’s 2024 Albania report underscored that tackling corruption is critical for EU accession, a goal Rama has set for 2030. High-profile scandals, such as 2019 allegations of vote-buying and mismanagement of public funds, have fuelled public distrust. Despite judicial reforms since 2016, enforcement remains uneven, and the judiciary’s independence is often questioned.

An unconventional politician

Edi Rama, Albania’s self-styled and unconventional long-serving prime minister, frequently breaks moulds and diplomatic protocol. His flair for dramatic reforms, such as painting Tirana’s buildings in vibrant colours to freshen the city’s image, underscores his reputation for challenging traditional governance.

In May 2025, during the European Political Community Summit in Tirana, Rama knelt on one knee in the rain to playfully welcome Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the red carpet, joining his hands in a namaste gesture.

Rama, now in his fourth term, has prioritised anti-corruption measures to align with EU standards. Diela’s appointment builds on the success of the e-Albania platform, launched in 2015, which has digitized services and reduced bureaucratic inefficiencies.

A 2025 Euronews Albania report noted that the platform cut administrative delays by 30% and improved access to services, particularly in rural areas.

Rama also aims to make Albania the world’s first cash-free country by 2030, a move to enhance financial transparency. According to a 2025 World Bank report, 70% of Albanians now use digital payment systems, up from 45% in 2020, supporting efforts to curb illicit transactions.

Scepticism and limitations

While innovative, Diela’s appointment has sparked debate. Critics, including analysts from the Institute for Democracy and Mediation in Tirana, argue that AI alone cannot address systemic corruption without stronger legal and institutional frameworks. Complex schemes, such as collusive bidding, may evade AI detection if they occur outside the procurement process.

Posts on social media reflect mixed reactions, with some hailing the move as progressive and others dismissing it as a public relations stunt amid ongoing scandals.

Other sources: AFP, Euronews Albania, Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, European Commission, Albania 2024 Report, edited by g.g.

Caption: The “Diela” AI bot, as appearing on many posts on X