The controversy around the Albania AI Minister has taken a dramatic turn, as the actor whose likeness was used for the government-backed chatbot says she wants her face back — and has taken the matter to court.

Anila Bisha, a well-known Albanian actor, told AFP that she has launched legal action to stop the use of her image and voice in the AI system known as Diella. The Albania AI Minister was introduced by Prime Minister Edi Rama in September as a digital overseer of public tenders, with the goal of reducing corruption in procurement processes.

But Bisha says she never approved her identity to be used in that capacity.

From Virtual Assistant to Albania AI Minister

According to Bisha, she originally signed a contract permitting the use of her image until the end of 2025. That agreement, she says, was limited to representing a virtual assistant on an online government services portal.

However, the scope of the project changed when the government announced that Diella would become the Albania AI Minister, tasked with overseeing public procurement tenders. A video featuring a computer-generated version of Bisha’s likeness addressing Parliament followed shortly after.

In the AI-generated video, the Albania AI Minister appeared dressed in traditional Albanian attire and stated that it was “not here to replace people.” The move quickly drew criticism from opposition parties and experts, who questioned the system’s accountability and transparency.

Legal Action Over Identity and Data

Bisha said she filed a petition with the administrative court seeking suspension of the use of her image. She described the situation as an exploitation of her identity and personal data.

The 57-year-old actor also claimed that Albania’s National Agency for Information Society — the body that developed the Albania AI Minister — filed a patent covering her image and voice without her knowledge. According to Bisha, that action has affected her professional opportunities.

After attempting to resolve the issue through direct communication with authorities and receiving no response, she decided to pursue legal action.

A Digital Minister With Big Responsibilities

Diella, which means “sun” in Albanian, was promoted as a technological solution to corruption in public procurement. The Albania AI Minister is responsible for decisions relating to public tenders — a portfolio that Prime Minister Rama pledged would become “corruption-free” under AI oversight.

The introduction of the Albania AI Minister marked one of the most high-profile experiments globally in assigning governmental responsibilities to an AI system.

Now, as the legal dispute unfolds, questions around consent, digital identity rights, and accountability in AI governance are coming sharply into focus.