An unelected artificial intelligence now controls Albania’s public funds, raising global fears about democracy and unchecked algorithmic power.
At a Glance
- Albania appointed “Diella,” an AI, as State Minister for Artificial Intelligence.
- Diella manages all public procurement and taxpayer funds with executive authority.
- Legal experts warn the move bypasses constitutional safeguards and democratic oversight.
- The decision comes as Albania campaigns for EU membership.
Albania’s Radical Leap
In September 2025, Albania made global history by appointing an AI named Diella as State Minister for Artificial Intelligence. The program now directs public procurement, once a human responsibility, with the power to control the flow of state money.
The government says the move is a bold strike against corruption, part of its bid to modernize governance while meeting European Union membership benchmarks. Prime Minister Edi Rama framed Albania as a digital trailblazer.
Diella was first introduced as a virtual assistant on the e-Albania platform earlier this year. Instead of staying advisory, the program now wields operational authority over tenders and contracts, bypassing ministerial discretion.
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Constitutional Storm
The shift hands executive power to an algorithm without legal personhood. Critics say this move bypasses the chain of accountability designed to protect democracy.
Opposition parties and legal scholars argue that no system exists to audit, challenge, or reverse Diella’s actions if errors occur. Decisions affecting public money could now stand unchallenged, with no clear human backstop.
The government cites efficiency. Since launch, Diella processed more than 36,600 digital documents and helped execute nearly 1,000 services. Officials hail this as proof of transparency and reliability. But critics stress that numbers do not resolve legitimacy questions.
Risks to Trust
Public procurement now runs through a system that businesses cannot fully see or contest. Companies must navigate Diella’s code, and citizens must rely on its unseen logic. That opacity undermines confidence, even if corruption rates drop.
The gamble is stark. A single coding flaw, bias, or manipulation could redirect millions in state contracts. Citizens would have little recourse against a program immune from accountability.
Opposition leaders warn this threatens to erode the fragile trust between citizens and government. Constitutional lawyers predict court battles that may define the limits of algorithmic power in state administration.
Global Stakes
Albania’s leap sets a precedent that could echo across borders. Governments seeking clean reputations may be tempted to hand power to AI under the guise of efficiency.
But critics warn that normalizing executive algorithms could reshape democratic norms worldwide. Once code replaces elected authority, the foundation of government by the people risks erosion.
Albania’s move may serve as an experiment others watch carefully. Whether it becomes a model or a warning will depend on whether its democratic institutions can survive the test.
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