PM Edi Rama hails Diella as a step toward transparency, but critics warn it could conceal corruption

Albania introduced an artificial intelligence–generated “minister” in parliament on Thursday, marking a first for the Balkan nation as it pushes forward with technological innovation and its EU membership ambitions.

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the bot, named Diella (meaning sun in Albanian), as a symbol of transparency and efficiency in governance. Designed as a woman in traditional Albanian attire, Diella delivered a three-minute speech on two large screens, stressing values of accountability, equality, and public service. “I assure you that I embody such values as strictly as every human colleague, maybe even more,” the AI persona declared.

The government says Diella will be used to fight corruption in public spending and assist citizens through Albania’s digital platform, where it already helps process millions of service requests. Created earlier this year in partnership with Microsoft, Diella has been operating as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania portal.

Opposition lawmakers, however, reacted furiously, banging on tables and accusing the government of using the program as a cover for graft. They boycotted the vote on the Cabinet’s program, which nonetheless passed with 82 votes in the 140-seat parliament. Democrats demanded the session be repeated, alleging that debate on the government’s agenda was prematurely cut short.

Rama defended the initiative as part of Albania’s broader drive for modernization, saying it will make governance faster and more transparent. “I am not here to replace people but to help them,” Diella assured lawmakers during her debut.