Albania had appointed the world’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Minister ‘Diala’ in the year 2025, whose aim was to reduce the corruption spread in the country. However, now a big controversy has come to light as two key officials of the National Information Agency (AKSHI), which created DELLA, have themselves been implicated in corruption charges. He has been placed under house arrest. More importantly, this is the same agency that handles the digital system of the government. This entire incident has raised questions on the government’s anti-corruption campaign. The special thing is that Albania is trying to join the European Union and for this, control of corruption is a necessary condition. The National Information Agency, which created DILA, has been accused of taking bribes through intimidation and manipulation in the contract award process. No charges have been formally framed against these officers yet. Prime Minister Rama said he would not comment until the investigation was completed. After the corruption allegations, questions have started to arise whether AI could be programmed to hide some evidence. Director and deputy director of the agency that created DIAL house arrest The EU’s November report said corruption has still not reduced. The Special Prosecution Unit, formed in 2019, is taking action against high-level corruption. Last month, the same unit placed the director and deputy director of the National Information Agency (which created DIAL) under house arrest. He is accused of manipulating contracts by threatening them and being associated with a criminal organization. This agency runs the government’s digital systems, which also includes DIAL. Both have not been formally charged yet. Rama said the decision would come after investigation, adding, “We will wait.” Diala said – I am not a human being, I have no selfishness. Diala is a virtual avatar, who is seen in traditional Albanian dress. Over the past year, Deila has spoken at several international conferences, promoting the use of AI in government across the world. In a video to Albania’s parliament in September, Deila said he was not human and had no personal ambitions or self-interests. There is only data, knowledge and algorithms, dedicated to impartially serve the citizens. He had said that he was saddened by the allegations of corruption. Virtual avatar Diella helps people with government contracts Diella helps citizens get government services online, such as issuing documents or booking appointments. Earlier, officials had to get the work done by bribing them, but now this process is coming to an end. Soon Diala will examine applications for government contracts and, based on the data, decide which bidder is the most qualified. Its work can be audited. Prime Minister Rama has named it Diela (Light), so that there is transparency in public procurement. Rama said Albania is ‘a country of two brothers’, where it is difficult to have fair relations. The Albanian government is using Deila to show off the EU. This unit is also investigating the former President, the Mayor of Tirana and the Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Baluku (close to Rama). Baluku is accused of misusing funds in big infrastructure projects and the opposition is demanding removal of his parliamentary immunity. Rama declined to comment on this. Corruption allegations have fueled protests, and last month protesters attacked with petrol bombs and demanded the government’s resignation. Rama supported the unit, but said that the rate of pre-trial detention was one of the highest in Europe, so the institution must remain independent and professional. According to the unit’s data, corruption cases account for only a small portion of detentions. It is difficult to measure how much DIAL has reduced corruption because it works on prevention, not detection. Experts say this is Rama’s way of showing the EU that he is fighting corruption. Albania is trying to join the European Union. Actually, Albania has been struggling with the problem of corruption for a long time. Many EU reports also say that corruption in Albania is not just at the lower level, but extends to the higher levels. Politicians, ministers and senior officials have been involved in this. The EU has repeatedly said that if Albania wants to become an EU member by 2030, it must take immediate and concrete steps to eliminate corruption and strengthen the judiciary. This is why the Rama government is now doing new experiments like AI to show internationally that they are serious about reforms. Prime Minister Rama won a historic fourth term in office in May 2025, after which he promised that Albania would become part of the European Union by 2030.
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अल्बानिया- भ्रष्टाचार रोकने के लिए बनीं AI मंत्री पर शक: बनाने वाली एजेंसी के दो अफसर हाउस अरेस्ट; सरकारी ठेकों के बदले रिश्वत लेने का आरोप
