Technology and artificial intelligence are playing a growing role in the relationship between citizens and public administration.
Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration discussed the issue while reviewing a bill to ratify the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.
Justice Minister Toni Gogu said more than 95 percent of public services are now digital. He added that over 3.5 million people have registered on the e-Albania platform and have submitted around 74 million applications.
Gogu said the convention aims to protect citizens when public authorities use algorithms or artificial intelligence to make decisions. He stressed that citizens must understand how authorities reach decisions that affect them. They must also have the right to challenge those decisions when they believe their rights have been violated.
The minister said the convention will not restrict technological development. Instead, it will provide a legal framework for the safe use of artificial intelligence.
“A technologically smarter state cannot mean a less protected citizen,” Gogu said.
He added that public administration must use technology to become faster and more efficient, while also strengthening citizens’ protection. During the discussion, Democratic Party MP Arjan Ndoja raised questions about limits on the use of artificial intelligence to protect democracy and the rule of law. He also referred to the Smart City project. Ndoja asked whether authorities had carried out the required public consultation and compatibility assessment under the convention’s proportionality requirements.
The discussion highlighted the need to balance technological progress with strong safeguards for citizens’ rights and the rule of law.
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