The advances in “Artificial Intelligence” have already cost many jobs. A country from Europe is now even using AI in politics to allocate public contracts as fairly as possible.
Which job is AI taking over and which country is it? In Albania, Prime Minister Edi Rama has introduced his new Minister for Public Procurement: the Artificial Intelligence Diella, which had previously been used as a chatbot and was programmed in collaboration with Microsoft.
Its task is to compare bids for tenders independently and neutrally and to select objectively who should best be awarded public contracts.
With this personnel choice, Rama aims to combat the rampant corruption in Albania and ensure fair competition. For a long time, it was primarily the companies that had the best connections to decision-makers that received the large contracts.
Since Albania wants to join the European Union in the coming 5 years, something has to change for the better. The image of Albania needs to improve. Rama promises that deals will now be conducted “100 percent free of corruption”.
AI Minister defends against criticism
Is this even legal? It actually says in the Albanian constitution that one must be at least 18 years old and “mentally capable” to hold a ministerial office. The current government argues, however, that there is nowhere stating that it must be people made of flesh and blood. An AI can also serve the people and fulfill its duties and responsibilities.
You probably won’t be surprised that the current opposition in Albania does not view it that way. For them, Diella is somewhat of a “PR gimmick” through which Rama wants to shed part of his responsibility.
By the way, the new Minister for Public Procurement has already addressed the Parliament in a speech where the AI itself responded to the criticism: “Some have called me ‘unconstitutional’ because I am not a human. I want to remind you: The real danger to constitutions has never been machines, but the inhumane decisions of those in power.”
We truly live in wild times, don’t we? Do you think that something like this actually has a future? Share your thoughts in the comments! If it’s up to the “Godfather of AI”, by the way, this is only the beginning: AI will completely displace humans with a “10 to 20 percent chance”, says the genius who knows
