Albania has just done something no other country has dared to try: it’s appointed an artificial intelligence system as a government minister.
Her name is Diella (which means “sun” in Albanian), and last week she “took the floor” in parliament with a three-minute speech streamed on big screens. Dressed in traditional Albanian clothing and speaking in a calm, confident voice, she told MPs:
“I am not here to replace people, but to help them. True, I have no citizenship, but I also have no ambition or interests.”
Prime Minister Edi Rama says Diella is part of his mission to fight corruption and make government more transparent. Opposition MPs weren’t impressed – they slammed desks, called her unconstitutional, and walked out of the chamber. The programme still passed with 82 votes in favour, thanks to Rama’s majority.
From chatbot to cabinet
Diella’s rise has been rapid. She started life in January 2025 as a simple chatbot on the government’s eAlbania platform, helping people find the right forms and services online. By summer, she’d gained a voice, a digital avatar (based on Albanian actress Anila Bisha), and the ability to hold conversations. Behind the scenes, she runs on Microsoft’s AI technology, combined with workflows built by Albania’s own digital agency.
She’s already helped citizens access thousands of documents. Now, she’s being promoted to a ministerial role – with plans for her to oversee public tenders in the future, in a bid to cut out human bias and backroom deals.
Bold experiment or dangerous gamble?
Supporters see Diella as a bold step into the future, showing how AI could bring fairness and transparency to politics. Critics argue she raises tough questions: who’s really accountable if an algorithm makes mistakes? Could hackers exploit her? And is replacing part of government with code really the answer to corruption?
Rama insists she’s a symbol of progress – and part of Albania’s push to join the European Union within five years. For now, one thing is clear: Diella has put Albania firmly on the map as the first country in the world with an AI minister in the cabinet.
The sun may have risen on a new era of digital politics – but whether it shines or burns out remains to be seen.
