Albania Appointed an AI Chatbot as a Minister to Fight Corruption
In a historic move blending technology with governance, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the appointment of an artificial intelligence bot named Diella as a new cabinet-level minister. The AI’s primary mission is to oversee public procurement and eradicate the long-standing issue of corruption in government tenders.
Unveiled during a meeting of the Socialist Party on Thursday, Diella, whose name means “sun” in Albanian, is described by Prime Minister Rama as “the first cabinet member who isn’t physically present, but is virtually created by AI.” The appointment is part of a broader government push to ensure public tenders are “100% free of corruption,” a critical goal for the Balkan nation as it pursues membership in the European Union.
Diella is not a new face to the Albanian public. The bot, which takes the form of a digital avatar dressed in traditional Albanian attire, was initially launched earlier this year as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania platform. In that role, it has helped citizens and businesses obtain state documents through voice commands and electronic stamps, significantly reducing bureaucratic delays.
The new ministerial role, however, marks a significant elevation of Diella’s responsibilities. It will now manage and award all government contracts to private companies for various projects. By entrusting an AI with this function, the government aims to leverage the system’s impartiality, making it immune to the bribes, threats, and nepotism that have plagued public procurement for decades.
The groundbreaking announcement has been met with both optimism and scepticism. Supporters view the move as a bold and innovative solution to a persistent problem. However, critics on social media and in political circles have raised concerns about the bot’s potential for manipulation, questioning what human oversight will be in place and who will be held accountable for any mistakes or security breaches. The government has yet to provide specific details on these safeguards.
I reckon that Diella’s success or failure in its new role will be closely watched by governments worldwide, as it could set a precedent for the future of AI in public administration. We’re inching ever so closely to a dystopian future, and this proves it.
For more news like this, stay tuned to us at Adam Lobo TV.
