Friday, 3rd October 2025

World First: Albania Elevates AI to Ministerial Rank

Virtual “Minister Diella” takes charge of public procurement to make tenders corruption-free

In a world first, Albania has appointed an artificial intelligence system to ministerial rank. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that “Diella,” a digital assistant developed for the government’s e-Albania platform, will now oversee all public procurement processes. The aim is stark and ambitious: to make tenders “100% free of corruption.”

Diella, launched earlier this year to help citizens navigate bureaucracy, has now been given the weight of a cabinet portfolio. Its algorithms will screen contracts, monitor compliance, and flag irregularities in real time. Rama argued that only technology could bring the level of transparency needed to restore public trust in the system.

The move has sparked international headlines and domestic debate. Supporters hail it as a groundbreaking step in governance innovation, while critics warn that giving a non-human entity ministerial authority may be legally and ethically shaky. The opposition in Tirana has already branded the appointment unconstitutional, raising concerns over accountability and oversight.

For Albania, which has long battled perceptions of graft, the experiment represents a radical wager: that AI can succeed where human institutions have faltered. Whether Diella will set a precedent for the region—or remain a political curiosity—will depend on its ability to deliver fairer, cleaner governance in one of Europe’s most corruption-prone sectors.

Have a news tip or story to share? Email us at info@connectingregion.com

Zuckerberg Predicts Mobile Phones Will Disappear by 2030

TThis is inevitable as new technologies like augmented reality (AR) glasses and virtual reality (VR) devices reshape how people...

ProCredit Launches ProConnect Platform

The platform is the first of its kind in the region, offering firms the ability to present their products...

Switzerland Tops Global Innovation Ranking, China Enters Top 10

China has entered the top 10 for the first time, taking the 10th spot and replacing Germany, which fell...

Meta, Google, Microsoft Pay Top AI Experts Up to $300K

Meta, Google, and Microsoft offer top researchers up to $300,000 annually—and up to $1.5M over four years. Meta recently...

UAE’s e& to Expand Serbia’s Kragujevac Data Centre

The UAE’s Emirates Telecommunication Group Company (e&), one of the world’s largest telecom operators, is stepping into Serbia’s digital...
spot_img

Connecting the Adria Region Decision Makers

The Region is more than a publication - it's where the region's elite converge for insights and opportunities