Actor takes legal action to stop Albania's government from using her image for 'AI minister'
NBC2 days
Albanian Actress Sues Government Over Use of Her Image as 'AI Minister'
Is Albania's AI minister an unauthorized exploitation of an actress' identity or a public anti-corruption tool being lawfully deployed?
Above: Albania's AI-generated minister "Diella" speaks during a parliamentary session in Tirana on Sept. 18, 2025. Image credit: Adnan Beci/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Government-critical narrative
Albania's government blatantly exploited an actress's identity without proper consent, using her face and voice to create an AI minister far beyond the limited scope she agreed to. The contract only covered use as a virtual assistant on a state portal until the end of 2025. This unauthorized expansion has damaged her professional career and stripped away her fundamental rights to control her own image and voice.
Pro-government narrative
Bisha's lawsuit lacks legal merit and will be settled in an independent court, proving Albania’s democratic system protects dissent while upholding the rule of law. Diella is a public anti-corruption instrument, not private property, built to remove human bias from tenders. This reform strengthens transparency, ethical governance, and EU-aligned standards to end decades of opaque state practices.
The Controversies
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0