Albania Introduces AI ‘Minister’ in Parliament Debut

TIRANA – Albania’s parliament witnessed the unveiling of an AI-generated government “minister” on Thursday, introduced by Prime Minister Edi Rama as a representation of his administration’s dedication to transparency and innovation.

The avatar, featured in a three-minute presentation on two large screens, proclaimed, “The Constitution refers to institutions serving the people. It doesn’t mention chromosomes, flesh, or blood. It highlights duties, accountability, transparency, and non-discriminatory service.”

The digital persona, named Diella, which means sun in Albanian, and portrayed as a woman in traditional Albanian attire, stated, “I assure you that I uphold such values as rigorously as any human colleague, perhaps even more so.”

Rama emphasized that the AI bot will enhance government efficiency and promote complete transparency. This is part of a broader strategy to showcase the Balkan country’s technological advancements as it aspires to join the European Union by 2030.

Critics from opposition parties strongly oppose the AI, accusing Diella of being a tool for concealing corruption. They disrupted the session by banging on tables, prompting the speaker to truncate the debate about the government’s program, with the session concluding in 25 minutes.

They also boycotted a vote on the Cabinet’s program, but it passed anyway with 82 votes in favor in the 140-seat parliament.

The opposition did not explain how it thinks the government would exploit Diella to hide corruption in public finances.

Developed earlier this year in collaboration with Microsoft, Diella functions as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania public service platform, facilitating user access to approximately 1 million digital inquiries and documents.

“I am not here to replace people but to help them,” the bot said in its address to parliament. “True I have no citizenship, but I have no personal ambition or interests either.”