Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania
From virtual ministers to fines sent by AI, Tyrana bets on artificial intelligence to clean corruption and accelerate adhesion to the European Union. But experts warn: without political reforms, the future can be just a digital illusion.
Albania is betting on artificial intelligence to combat corruption and accelerate the process of adherence to the European Union.
The Prime Minister Edi Rama It argues that technology can become “the most efficient member” of the government. He even suggested the creation of a ministry totally managed by AI.
“So there would be no nepotism no conflicts of interest, ”said the Albanian head of government – for whom it is not impossible to imagine a country with virtual ministers and even with a digital prime minister.
The idea divides opinionstells the. The former politician and writer Ben Blushi believes that a state managed by ia It’s just a matter of time. “Don’t corrupt yourself, you don’t need salary and you don’t make mistakes.”
But Opposition does not share enthusiasm. “AI is a tool, not a miracle,” said the deputy Jorida Tabakufor whom the priority should be renovate where 80% of the budget goes through public contracts, many of them without competition.
Despite criticism, AI is already in use. The government resorts to intelligent systems for oversee public tenders and monitor transactions tax and customs. Drones and satellites help to watch illegal buildings, bathing concessions and cannabis plantations.
There are plans To apply IA in the fight against road accidentsin a country with one of Europe’s highest accident rates, and the idea of sending automatic fines by SMS or email. Health, Education and Digital Identification These are other areas under study.
This recent technological impulse is linked to central political objective of the Albanian government: the adhesion to the European Union. Since 2022, Albania has negotiated integration and faces the challenge of adapting its legislation to 250,000 pages of community standards.
RAMA established a partnership with Mira Muratiformer technological director of OpenAi and creator of ChatgPT, born in the south of the country. AI is being used to translate and compare national laws with the community collection.
The government believes it can Complete the technical work by 2027two years before the official adhesion target in 2030. But experts warn that technology does not replace policy.
The country also advances in other digitization plans. RAMA wants an economy No physical money by 2030. The e-albania platform already concentrates 95% of public services. In five years he sued 49 million orders, saving more than 600 million euros to citizens and emigrants.
The bet is not always serious. In May, at the summit of the European political community, which joined leaders from the whole continent in Tyran, foreign leaders were received by “Baby” versions of themselvescreated by AI. The episode made some and left others in closed countenance.
Despite the official enthusiasm, the experts warn: Technicians are missingdata centers and infrastructure. Without a gradual plan and clear rules, the promise can fail. But Rama insists: for overcome corruption and reach the European UnionAlbania has no other way than to advance with artificial intelligence.
