Albanian Actor Initiates Legal Battle Over Unauthorised AI Minister Image
An Albanian actor has launched a legal challenge to halt the government's use of her likeness for its so-called "AI minister," asserting that her face and voice were employed without explicit consent. Anila Bisha, a renowned film and theatre performer in Albania, is demanding the immediate removal of her image and voice from the virtual minister named Diella, following a formal request filed through an administrative court this week.
Violation of Personal Data Alleged in High-Profile Case
Citing a violation of her personal data, Bisha's legal team, led by lawyer Aranit Roshi, described this as the first legal move to prevent the abuse of her image. The Albanian government has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. This case emerges after Albania garnered international attention last year when Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the creation of what he termed the world's first artificial intelligence minister, designed to ensure corruption-free public procurement tenders.
Contract Misunderstanding and Political Implications
Bisha acknowledged signing a contract permitting the use of her voice and image for the government's online platform e-Albania, which offers various public services. However, she emphasised that she was never informed of plans to utilise them for an AI minister. "It was surprising when I heard the prime minister declare it. I asked how this could happen without my knowledge, without anyone asking me if I wanted my image to be used or not," Bisha told The Associated Press on Thursday, adding that she feels her image is now being used as a political statement.
Historical Context and Legal Proceedings
This incident is not isolated in the realm of artificial intelligence platforms. In 2024, OpenAI withdrew one of its ChatGPT voices, Sky, after actor Scarlett Johansson claimed it sounded "eerily similar" to her own, though OpenAI denied it was her voice. Bisha reported attempting to contact the government multiple times since the AI minister joined the Albanian Cabinet last September, resorting to legal action after receiving no response to her requests for a meeting.
She has filed a temporary injunction with the administrative court, demanding the government cease using her image for Diella immediately. Her representatives plan to pursue a formal lawsuit for damages and compensation. "One cannot take away one's identity and do with it whatever they want," Bisha stated, highlighting the broader implications for identity rights in the digital age.
Diella, typically depicted in traditional Albanian national dress and known for her punchy comebacks when prompted by officials, has become a symbol of Albania's technological ambitions. Yet, this legal dispute underscores the ethical and legal challenges surrounding AI and personal data usage, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases globally.
