SIMULACRUM OF DIGITAL SUBJECTIVITY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PHENOMENON OF ALBANIA'S "AI MINISTER"

Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d . The article examines the phenomenon of Diella, a virtual "AI minister" introduced by the Albanian government and publicly presented as an autonomous political actor. Despite this anthropomorphic narrative, Diella lacks legal status and functions solely as a data-processing tool. The study aims to analyze how the symbolic construction of such a digital figure shapes public perceptions of AI subjectivity and its appropriate role in public governance.

M e t h o d s . The study applies hermeneutic and discourse-analytical approaches, a comparative analysis of AI implementation models in Albania and the United States, and a normative analysis based on the European Commission's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI. The sources include political statements, journalistic investigations, official documents, and theoretical frameworks such as J. Baudrillard's concept of the simulacrum.

R e s u l t s . The study indicates that Diella's practical use is limited to generating technical recommendations within public procurement procedures and remains fully supervised by human experts. This phenomenon creates a gap between its actual capabilities and its public image, thus reinforcing the illusion of agency. There are also several risks: its decisions are not fully transparent, the algorithm may treat different groups unfairly, and responsibility for decisions can shift away from human officials.

C o n c l u s i o n s . The Albanian case illustrates the emergence of a digital simulacrum, an artificial political image that lacks real agency or autonomy. The study argues that anthropomorphising AI contradicts European ethical standards and may distort societal understanding of AI's role in governance. It emphasizes the need for transparent, accountable, and normatively regulated AI systems.