Albania Appoints AI Minister, Raising Ethical and Legal Concerns

Albania has made headlines globally by appointing an AI-generated minister, named Diella, to oversee its public tenders portfolio. Announced last week by Prime Minister Edi Rama, this initiative aims to combat corruption in government contracts, a persistent barrier to Albania’s aspirations for European Union membership. With the country ranking 80th out of 180 in the Transparency International corruption index, Rama’s proclamation that Diella would ensure “100 percent free of corruption” has stirred significant debate.

The prime minister asserted that Diella would operate without human flaws, stating, “Diella never sleeps, she doesn’t need to be paid, she has no personal interests.” This statement reflects a growing trend in the use of technology to address systemic issues within government. Yet, the effectiveness and ethical implications of such a move remain under scrutiny.

Concerns Over AI Decision-Making

Experts are questioning whether Diella can truly be the solution to corruption in Albania. Erjon Curraj, a specialist in digital transformation and cybersecurity, noted that the AI’s effectiveness hinges on the quality of the data it processes. If the information fed into Diella is biased or incomplete, its decisions could inadvertently perpetuate existing issues.

“LLMs reflect society; they have biases,” cautioned Jean-Gabriel Ganascia, an artificial intelligence expert. He emphasized that assuming a machine is free of bias could lead to a dangerous reliance on technology for public governance. “If public decision-making is entrusted to a machine, it means there is no longer accountability; we are reduced to the state of slaves,” he warned.

The Albanian opposition, led by former prime minister Sali Berisha, has raised questions about accountability. Berisha expressed concerns in parliament, asking, “Who will control Diella?” This highlights a critical issue: the need for clear governance and oversight of AI’s role in public functions.

Potential Legal Implications

The appointment of Diella has already prompted legal challenges. The opposition has appealed to the Constitutional Court regarding the implications of AI-driven decision-making. While a decree published recently states that Prime Minister Rama will bear responsibility for Diella’s operations, uncertainties remain about the legal framework governing this unprecedented role.

Political scientist Lutfi Dervishi pointed out the risks of allowing a potentially corrupt system to dictate the parameters of AI decisions. “If a corrupt system provides manipulated data, or filters are set up on what it must not see, Diella will merely legitimise old corruption with new software,” he stated.

The AI minister, whose visual representation is based on the well-known Albanian actress Anila Bisha, is expected to navigate these complexities while Albania strives to meet EU standards in governance and transparency. As the country approaches its goal of EU accession within the next five years, the success of initiatives like Diella could play a critical role in shaping its future.

The global response to Albania’s innovative approach to governance has been mixed. While some view it as a bold step toward modernization, others caution against the potential pitfalls of delegating governmental responsibilities to an AI system. As the situation evolves, the implications for both Albanian society and the broader landscape of public administration will be closely monitored.