FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Albanian actress Anila Bisha's lawsuit against the government over the use of her image and voice by an artificial intelligence-powered virtual "minister" continues to attract international attention. The case was also reported by CNN, which devoted space to the actress's claims of violation of her rights and unauthorized use of her identity in an official Albanian government project.
Last year, Albania introduced what it described as the world's first artificial intelligence minister. But it turns out that her figure wasn't completely artificial, at least not her face and voice.
Renowned Albanian film and theater actress Anila Bisha says that the face and voice used for the virtual minister “Diella” are hers and that she was not informed about their use in this role. According to her, she had not imagined that the government would use her image in such a prominent way.
This week, Bisha filed a formal request with the Administrative Court in Albania, alleging a violation of personal data and demanding that the government immediately stop the use of her voice and image for the “Sun” figure. “This is the first legal step to prevent the abuse of Anila’s image,” stated her lawyer, Aranit Roshi.
The Albanian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.
Albania attracted international attention in September last year when Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the creation of what he described as the world’s first artificial intelligence minister. According to him, “Diella’s” role was to ensure that all public procurement tenders were handled 100% corruption-free.
The virtual figure is usually depicted wearing traditional Albanian costume and is known for giving direct answers when asked questions by government officials.
Bisha acknowledged that she had signed a contract allowing the use of her voice and image for the state-run e-Albania platform, which offers a wide range of online public services. However, she stressed that she had not been informed of any plans to use them in a project related to an artificial intelligence “minister.”
“ It was surprising when I heard the prime minister announce it. I asked how this could happen without my knowledge, without asking me whether or not I wanted my image to be used ,” she said. According to Bisha, her image is already being used as a political statement.
The actress said she had tried to contact the government several times since "Diella" joined the cabinet in September, but had not received a response. She decided to initiate legal proceedings after her request for a meeting to discuss the matter went unanswered.
In addition to the request for a temporary suspension, her representatives warned that they will also file a full lawsuit for damages and compensation. "No one can take someone's identity and use it as they wish," Bisha said.
The case brings to the forefront international debates over the use of voices and images in artificial intelligence platforms. In 2024, OpenAI pulled one of ChatGPT’s voices, called “Sky,” after actress Scarlett Johansson said it sounded “eerily similar” to her own. OpenAI clarified that the voice in question was not Johansson’s.
AI u shpik nga ata qe mos u ngopshin kurre qe te grabisin deri ne piken e fundit te gjakut popiullin e thjeshte. Prisni se nuk ka filluar akoma totalisht. Si mu zhduken parate ne banke, si mu zhduk identiteti, si mu zhduk prona? Na falni se qe gabimi i AI, gabim elektronik. Dmth. Bit Coin AI = Qyrku i Fajit dhe bye bye! Me trilionat e borxheve do korigjohen shifrat e bankave e keshtu, da da, ia hodhen.