Albania on September 11 became the first country to appoint a government minister created entirely by artificial intelligence, as Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced a sweeping cabinet reshuffle and set out ambitious plans to steer the Balkan country toward European Union membership by 2030.

The virtual minister, named Diella — meaning “sunbeam” in Albanian — will oversee all public procurement, a sector seen as vulnerable to corruption. 

Rama, who secured a historic fourth term in May, described Diella as a “servant of public procurement” designed to make the tendering process fully transparent and “100% incorruptible”, reported Albanian broadcaster Top-channel. 

“Decisions on tenders will be taken outside the ministries and passed into the hands of Diella,” Rama told delegates at a Socialist Party assembly in Tirana. “This is not science fiction, but the duty of Diella.”

Diella is not a minister for artificial intelligence, but a digital entity built on AI systems and presented to citizens as an avatar. She already powers the government’s e-Albania online services platform and will be able to “employ talent from all over the world,” Rama said.

Public procurement has been a persistent weak spot for Albania, with the European Union repeatedly flagging graft concerns in annual rule-of-law assessments. Rama said the gradual transfer of procurement decisions to Diella would eliminate opportunities for bribery and ensure that “every public fund that goes through the tender procedure is 100% legible”. 

The announcement follows months of speculation after Rama mused in the summer about appointing a digital minister, and even a future AI prime minister. However, few expected the proposal to materialise so quickly.

Cabinet overhaul

After its fourth consecutive general election win earlier this year, Rama’s Socialist Party assembly also endorsed a wide-ranging reshuffle aimed at refreshing the government’s ranks for the country’s next phase of EU accession talks, as outlined in a speech delivered by Rama on September 11.

Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku retained her role and will continue as minister of infrastructure and energy, the prime minister announced according to a Socialist Party statement.

Among the significant changes, Albana Koçiu became the first woman to lead the Ministry of Interior, replacing Ervin Hoxha.

Former parliament speaker Elisa Spiropali was named minister for Europe and foreign affairs, tasked with driving an intensive “diplomatic offensive” to win EU support.

Rama outlined his goal of concluding EU accession negotiations within 27 months and securing ratification by all 27 member states before the end of his mandate. “Our national mission of full integration with Europe has never been clearer,” he said.

Radiologist Evis Sala, who built an international career at leading hospitals from New York to Rome, will return to Albania to serve as minister of health and social welfare.

Other appointments include Besfort Lamallari as Justice Minister, Andis Salla as Agriculture Minister, and Sofjan Jaupaj as Environment Minister. Long-serving education chief Mirela Kumbaro will now head the Education Ministry after leading the environment portfolio.

The prime minister also addressed the ongoing leadership vacuum in Tirana, where the elected mayor, Erion Veliaj, has been detained for seven months pending trial. Rama urged the municipal council to trigger new elections, warning that Albania’s capital “cannot rise and fall endlessly like a headless body”.