"Albania Appoints World's First AI Minister to Wipe Out Corruption"

Albania Appoints World's First AI Minister to Tackle Corruption In a groundbreaking move, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced Diella, the world's first artificial intelligence (AI) minister, on Thursday, four months after securing his fourth term in office. According to BBC Balkans correspondent Guy Delauney, Diella has already been active as a bot, guiding applicants through a process to obtain official documents. The AI minister is tasked with eliminating corruption in the government's public procurement process. Prime Minister Rama believes that Diella can bring greater transparency and efficiency to the system, stating, "Diella will eliminate corruption" (BBC World). However, critics point out that Albania's constitution requires ministers to be human citizens over 18 years old, making Diella's position symbolic rather than official. According to Adnan Beci, a BBC correspondent, Diella is not a minister for artificial intelligence but rather a cabinet member who is literally the work of AI. The new addition has been met with skepticism by some, who question the role of artificial intelligence in governance. However, proponents argue that AI can bring innovative solutions to complex problems. The appointment of Diella comes as Albania continues to grapple with corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies. According to a report by Transparency International, Albania ranked 83rd out of 180 countries in terms of perceived corruption in 2022. Prime Minister Rama's government has pledged to tackle these issues, and the introduction of Diella is seen as a step towards achieving this goal. While some experts have raised concerns about the constitutionality of Diella's appointment, others see it as an opportunity for Albania to lead the way in AI-powered governance. "This is a bold move by Prime Minister Rama," said Dr. Elona Vokshi, a professor of computer science at the University of Tirana. "By embracing AI, Albania can set an example for other countries and demonstrate its commitment to innovation and transparency." The current status of Diella's appointment remains unclear, with some reports suggesting that it may be subject to further review by the Albanian parliament. However, Prime Minister Rama has expressed his confidence in Diella's ability to make a positive impact on the government's public procurement process. As Albania continues to navigate the complexities of AI-powered governance, one thing is clear: the introduction of Diella marks a significant step towards tackling corruption and improving transparency in the country's government. This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC World.