A prominent Albanian actress has initiated legal proceedings against her government after discovering her digital likeness was utilized without proper authorization to create an AI-powered ministerial avatar. Anila Bisha, a well-known performer, alleges that authorities exploited her identity by transforming her into “Diella,” an artificial intelligence system designated to oversee public procurement processes.
The controversial initiative was unveiled by Prime Minister Edi Rama in September 2023 as an innovative anti-corruption measure. The government promoted this AI entity as a virtual minister that would allegedly eliminate graft in public tenders through automated decision-making. However, the project immediately faced scrutiny from opposition parties and technology ethicists who raised substantial concerns about algorithmic accountability and procedural transparency.
Bisha revealed that while she had previously consented to limited use of her image for a government service portal virtual assistant through December 2025, the administration dramatically expanded this usage without consultation. The situation escalated when a digitally synthesized version of the actress addressed Albania’s parliament dressed in traditional attire, claiming the AI minister was “not here to replace people.
The 57-year-old performer discovered that the National Agency for Information Society had additionally filed patents covering her vocal and visual identity without notification—a development she states has professionally and personally compromised her. After attempted negotiations yielded no governmental response, Bisha formally petitioned the administrative court this week seeking immediate suspension of her likeness utilization.
This case emerges amid growing global debates concerning digital rights, personality protections, and ethical artificial intelligence implementation within governance structures.