Albania appoints world’s first AI-made minister

Not a minister for artificial intelligence. Rather, a cabinet member who is, literally, the work of AI.

The new addition is, like a pop star, known simply by the single name: Diella.

Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced her as a member of his new cabinet on Thursday, four months after securing his fourth term in office in May elections.

However, the move was symbolic rather than official, as Albania's constitution insists that government ministers must be mentally competent citizens aged at least 18.

Still, the advantages of appointing a bot over a human are obvious.

Diella, whose name means sun in Albanian, is unlikely to be the source of any unflattering leaks about the government. She will only be power-hungry in the sense of the electricity she consumes. And a damaging expenses scandal would appear to be out of the question.

In fact, corruption was uppermost in Rama's mind when he made Diella part of his team as minister for public procurement.

Her role will be to ensure that Albania will become "a country where public tenders are 100% free of corruption".

"We're working with a brilliant team, which is not only Albanian but also international, to come out with the first full AI model in public procurement," the prime minister told the BBC.

"Not only will we wipe out every potential influence on public biddings – we will also make the process much faster, much more efficient and totally accountable."

Diella had already been working in Albania even before the government "appointment". Her first incarnation was as an AI-powered virtual assistant, guiding applicants through the process to obtain official documents.