In a landmark case, the Albanian government has elected their new procurement minister. But the procurement minister is not a human being; it is an AI. Diella, which also depicts the “Sun” in Shqip, the albanian language and as named by the authorities, came into being with the responsibility of completely removing corruption related to strategic and operational acquisition of goods, services, and works for the government, encompassing policy development, legislation, supplier selection, contract management, and ensuring transparency, efficiency, and value for money in public spending.
“We have made considerable progress and now we aim to have the first model in Europe of public procurement through artificial intelligence”, stated Edi Rama, in a conference held on 19 September 2025. Albania uses AI as a “procurement minister” to fight against corruption.
India has also appreciated the new initiative by Albania to curb corruption, through All India Radio News.
Diella is not entirely new to the citizens. Since January, she has been serving as a digital assistant on the state’s e-Albania portal, guiding people through 95% of government services online. Through voice commands, she has helped users obtain documents, navigate bureaucratic processes, and issue certificates with electronic stamps, reducing delays and frustrations. On the platform, she appears in traditional Albanian attire, symbolising both modernity and cultural heritage.
By putting Diella in charge, it is believed that procurement decisions will be free from bribes, threats, and political interference. The plan is to transfer responsibility for awarding tenders from ministries to the AI in a phased process.
While many citizens have welcomed the innovation, not everyone is convinced. On social media, one user said, “I hope that a better AI minister is found than a human minister ”Another stated, “I hope it’s a sincere effort, as tenders in Albania are often corrupt, but I suspect they’re creating an AI scapegoat. Albania’s Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has imprisoned several of the PM’s associates. I hope this AI backfires and reveals the truth”.
On the other hand, supporters argue that Diella represents a symbolic leap forward. For a country struggling with entrenched graft, the decision to entrust a machine with such high responsibility underscores both the urgency of reform and the risks leaders are willing to take to change course.
As Albania makes its name in one of the world’s firsts, Diella’s success or failure will be closely watched not just in Albania but across the world. In the coming months, the world will learn whether an AI “minister” can indeed deliver what generations of human officials could not.
