Albanian actress sues government for using AI minister likeness

Tirana:  (Web Desk) – Albanian actor Anila Bisha has launched a legal battle to stop the use of her image in an AI system that the government promoted as a “minister,” accusing authorities of exploiting her identity.

In September, Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced an AI platform named Diella, which he described as a “minister” responsible for overseeing public tenders, promising the system would curb corruption. The announcement sparked criticism from opposition parties and experts, who questioned the AI’s accountability and transparency.

Bisha, a well-known Albanian actress, said she never approved her likeness for this purpose. She filed a petition with the administrative court earlier this week seeking to halt the use of her image, calling the move “an exploitation of my identity and personal data.”

Originally, Bisha had signed a contract allowing her image to be used as a virtual assistant on an online government services portal until the end of 2025. However, after Rama’s announcement, a computer-generated version of her appeared in a video addressing parliament, dressed in traditional Albanian attire, claiming the AI was “not here to replace people.”

Bisha also revealed that the National Agency for Information Society, which developed Diella, filed a patent using her voice and image without informing her — a step she says harmed her professional opportunities. Despite attempts to negotiate with authorities, she received no response, prompting her to pursue legal action.

Diella, meaning “sun” in Albanian, is now responsible for decisions regarding public procurement tenders, part of the government’s plan to make the process “corruption-free.”