By Stuart Kerr, Governance & Tech Correspondent
Published: 25/09/2025 | Last Updated: 25/09/2025
Contact: [email protected] | Twitter: @LiveAIWire
An Avatar Speaks in Parliament
On 18 September 2025, Albania’s prime minister, Edi Rama, introduced Diella, the country’s first AI-generated “minister,” during a three-minute speech delivered via video in parliament. Presented in traditional Albanian dress, Diella declared that she is not there to replace human ministers but to promote transparency and non-discriminatory government services. The avatar promised to tackle public procurement corruption and serve citizens without personal ambition. AP News
What Diella’s Role Really Means
Originally launched as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania platform, where she handled over one million user requests and digital documents, Diella is set to take on a formal ministerial duty: managing and awarding public tenders. Rama claims this AI appointment will ensure that government contracting becomes “100% free of corruption.” But some legal experts question how a non-human, non-citizen entity fits within constitutional norms. Reuters+2AP News+2
Transparency or Symbolism?
Supporters argue that Diella is a bold move toward better governance. In Blame it on Algorithm: Political Leaders and AI, we explored how algorithmic oversight can curb bias and enforce procedural fairness in government decisions. LiveAIWire’s earlier article Digital Delusions: Is AI Triggering New Realities? similarly examined public trust in emerging technologies beyond spectacle. These pieces suggest that citizens may support innovation if it delivers genuine accountability. The Guardian+2AP News+2
Legal & Ethical Crosswinds
The opposition has been vocal: they argue that Diella’s appointment is unconstitutional since ministers must be citizens and human under current law. Human oversight of Diella’s decisions remains poorly defined, raising concerns about bias, lack of accountability, and vulnerability to manipulation. As Sky News reports, lawmakers protested and boycotted the initial vote on the government programme, though the measure ultimately passed. Sky News+2Reuters+2
What’s at Stake for EU Accession
Albania aims to join the European Union by 2030, and advancement on corruption, rule of law, and governance reform are central to that bid. By appointing Diella, the government is signaling its commitment to innovation — but also exposing itself to international scrutiny. The Guardian notes that even well-meaning tech can be used for show if not underpinned by legal safeguards and independent oversight. The Guardian
Risks that Could Undermine the Promise
Diella’s performance depends heavily on how transparent her algorithms are, who programs her, and how her decision logs are audited. Without clear procedures, there’s risk of algorithmic bias, hidden influence, and loss of accountability. Moreover, in a country long challenged by corruption scandals, public skepticism is high. As some citizens already worry, technology alone cannot resolve deeply-rooted structural issues. ABC+2The Guardian+2
What to Watch Over the Next Months
Key markers to follow include whether Diella’s role becomes subject to legal statutes, whether public tender decisions become traceable and transparent, and whether her appointment sparks similar AI governance experiments in the Balkans or elsewhere. Also crucial will be public sentiment: whether Albanians perceive tangible improvements or only theatre.
About the Author
Stuart Kerr is the Governance & Tech Correspondent for LiveAIWire. He reports on the intersection of AI, public policy, and ethics, exploring how emerging tech reshapes power, trust and institutions. Read more