Albania appoints first AI-made minister (www.politico.eu)

Albania has made history by appointing Diella, the world’s first AI-powered virtual minister, to oversee public procurement. Unlike ministers for AI, Diella is a fully digital entity composed of code and pixels, marking an unprecedented integration of artificial intelligence into governmental leadership. Announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama, this move transforms a traditional political role into an AI-driven position, demonstrating remarkable progress in the practical deployment of AI at the highest levels of public administration. This development is significant for the AI/ML community as it showcases the real-world application of AI beyond advisory or supportive roles, positioning a virtual minister as a decision-making authority in government operations. Diella's appointment could serve as a pioneering case study in automated governance, highlighting potential efficiencies and challenges in using AI to manage complex bureaucratic processes like public procurement. The decision also signals a broader trend toward digital governance, raising important questions around AI ethics, accountability, and transparency in politically sensitive domains.