Albania has become the first country in the world to grant artificial intelligence an official ministerial role. A virtual minister named “Diella” will now have the authority to manage all government contracts for public procurement.
Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced Diella during a recent cabinet meeting, calling her the first cabinet member “virtually created by artificial intelligence.” Her primary role will be to evaluate and award public tenders in which the government partners with private companies.
Diella already operates through the E-Albania digital portal, where she assists citizens in processing bureaucratic requests using voice commands. Rama claims this approach will eliminate bribery and threats from the decision-making process, though it remains unclear what level of human oversight will remain over her work.
This move has sparked significant global interest. While it is undeniable that AI already plays a major role in government operations and public administration, handing over full authority to technology in its current form raises serious concerns. Critics warn that such a system could become vulnerable to manipulation and abuse, potentially creating new forms of corruption instead of eliminating them.
In brief: Tech World Highlights
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