Bucea George Cristian

🚨 Albania is looking to experiment with AI as a way to tackle decades of corruption and speed up its bid to join the European Union. Prime Minister Edi Rama said last month that AI could stamp out nepotism and bring more transparency, calling it a potential “most efficient member” of the government. He even suggested the idea of an AI-run ministry and invited local developers to create models that could one day act as ministers or even a prime minister. The country is already using AI in practical ways, from monitoring procurement and tax transactions to deploying drones and satellites against illegal construction and cannabis cultivation. It also powers a virtual public servant through the e-Albania portal, which has saved citizens hundreds of millions of euros. Supporters argue AI cannot be bribed or influenced, while critics warn it could just disguise dysfunction if corrupt actors design the systems. Rama also sees AI as a tool to help Albania meet EU membership standards faster, suggesting the technology could streamline the process of aligning Albanian laws with European legislation, something that normally takes years. Figures close to the government say Albania could even become a test case for how small states use AI to modernize institutions and overcome political gridlock. Yet opposition voices remain skeptical, pointing out that most of the state budget flows through public contracts, many without open competition, and unless the system itself is fixed, AI risks being another layer that hides the same old problems. What are your thoughts on this? 🤔💬 Source: https://lnkd.in/ez_YwXBm Want to keep up with AI? 🤖 Follow Evolving AI to stay ahead of your competition (trusted by +3.5 million followers online) ✉️ Join 70,000+ newsletter readers and stay updated on the latest AI insights: https://lnkd.in/em9B--mb

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VIORA AIRPORT - THERE IS A FIRST ✈🇦🇱✈️🇨🇭✈ Chair Airline will be the first airline to operate at the Albanian airport opening in 2026 Albania's second largest international airport, Vlora International Airport, is expected to open its doors in 2026. The construction of the airport is one of the most significant investments in southern Albania, which aims to transform the connectivity of the region, boost tourism and employment. The airport is being built by the Swiss company Mabetex Group, which has become one of the most significant players in the world in a few years, with a presence in 18 countries. The company is headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, and employs around 14,000 people. Mabetex has a wide portfolio of work worldwide, including the construction of historical buildings, administrative and public buildings, urban planning, hospitals, hotels, sports facilities, shopping centers, residential buildings, theaters and auditoriums, and airports. In this regard, the company has completed the expansion and renovation of Astana International Airport in Kazakhstan. The soon-to-open airport recently announced that Chair Airline will be the first airline to operate flights from Vlora International Airport to Zurich from June 26 to October 23, 2026 (twice a week). As a young Swiss airline, it is headquartered at Zurich Airport and operates Airbus A320 aircraft. Chair Airlines has been flying its passengers to the most famous and beautiful holiday destinations in Europe and North Africa since mid-2019, on various routes between Switzerland and the country. "....This is a historic milestone for the new airport and a major step forward in strengthening connectivity with the Albanian Riviera. We believe that this partnership will greatly contribute to the growth of tourism in Vlora and Albania..." - said Valon Lluka, CEO of Vlora International Airport. Chair Airlines, #VloraInternationalAirport

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Albania has appointed the world’s first artificial intelligence “minister” to oversee public procurement, in a bold move that Prime Minister Edi Rama says will eliminate corruption and speed up government operations. The AI-generated entity, named Diella, meaning “sun” in Albanian, will manage all government tenders, which Rama pledged will now be “100% free of corruption.” Diella, created in cooperation with Microsoft and depicted in a traditional Albanian costume, was initially launched as a virtual assistant on the state’s e-Albania platform earlier this year. Analysts say the experiment could mark a turning point in digital governance if successful, but warn of risks around oversight, accountability, and manipulation. https://lnkd.in/d6iyxQaN

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𝐀𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤! Today we had the privilege of an exclusive lecture with our Ringier BoD Member and Andreas Andresen Professor of Business Administration in the Strategy Unit at Harvard Business School Dr. Felix Oberholzer-Gee, live-streamed from Belgrade. His message was clear: AI adoption is spreading faster than any previous technology, yet companies see little productivity impact. The reason is simple: Most organizations use AI to automate existing processes rather than to rethink how they work. History shows why this matters. When electricity replaced steam, real gains came not from swapping engines but from redesigning entire factories. The same holds for AI. Productivity will only emerge when companies shift from process-driven management to outcome-driven thinking. Define what success looks like, then let AI find new ways to achieve it. For leaders, this requires courage, Prof. Oberholzer stated: less focus on controlling every step, more space for experimentation, risk, and learning from results. The real opportunity is not “faster old processes,” but entirely new ways of creating value. Ringier Serbia Jelena Drakulic-Petrovic Marc Walder #Ai #Future #value

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Dear Coffee Lovers, "Zdrav" from Montenegro’s Coffee scene: Where time slows down and culture speeds ahead. When you walk through the old streets of Kotor, sit on a terrace in Budva, or stop at a café along Podgorica’s bustling Bulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog, one thing becomes clear: coffee isn’t just a drink in Montenegro - it’s a way of life. Montenegro’s café culture has deep roots in the Ottoman and Mediterranean traditions, but it has been quietly evolving into something distinctly modern. The old image of kafa sa društvom - long conversations over a small, strong cup - still holds true. Yet alongside these traditional bars, we’re seeing a wave of specialty coffee shops, barista-driven concepts, and modern urban cafés popping up, especially in Budva, Kotor, Tivat, and Herceg Novi. What’s changing? Specialty coffee growth: Young entrepreneurs are opening third-wave coffee shops, often using beans from Brazil, Ethiopia, or Colombia, but also experimenting with regional Balkan roasters. Design-led cafés: spaces are becoming more Instagrammable - Scandinavian minimalism meets Adriatic charm - attracting a younger, digital-savvy audience. Café as workspace: remote workers and digital nomads, drawn to Montenegro’s lifestyle and favorable visa policies, are turning coffee shops into co-working spaces. Cold brew & iced trends: with warmer summers and tourism peaks, cold brews, iced lattes, and coffee cocktails are finding their place next to the classic espresso and Turkish-style kafa. What’s unique here? In many European capitals, coffee shops are about speed - takeaway cups, laptop screens, and queues. In Montenegro, even with modern influences, coffee remains anchored in slow living. Locals will spend an hour or two over a single cup, watching the world go by. This is more than just hospitality - it’s a cultural rhythm. The coffee shop here is the living room of the city. Why it matters Montenegro is in the middle of a hospitality and tourism boom, and coffee culture is part of its soft power. The blend of old-world rituals with modern café concepts makes it an emerging micro-market to watch for regional roasters, coffee equipment suppliers, and hospitality investors. If you’re in the coffee business and want to understand how tradition and innovation can co-exist - Montenegro is a living case study. #coffeelover #montenegroscoffeescene #internationalcoffeeconsulting

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When the news broke that Albania was appointing an AI system named ‘Diella’ to oversee public procurement, I received many emails. The theme ranged from “should we be afraid for our jobs?” to “will this really stop corruption” to “you need to start job hunting”. This headline-grabbing move is fascinating because it speaks to a deeper truth: AI can truly amplify human expertise and reshape the way we do public procurement today. As part of our Innovation & Digitalisation Programme at UNOPS we are actively exploring how AI can: Automate repetitive tasks that consume valuable time Harness data analysis to uncover insights for informed decision-making Enhance transparency through intelligent, real-time monitoring This isn’t just about adopting new technology, it is a strategic shift to deliver greater public value. But it’s a shift rooted in thoughtful and ethical implementation. I am so excited to see how we can build a more efficient, transparent and intelligent procurement function! How are you & your teams looking at AI to improve procurement? #publicprocurement #AI #digitaltransformation https://lnkd.in/dJPKBd4K

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