In a monumental stride toward EU integration, the Albanian government has partnered with OpenAI, the visionary parent company behind the renowned language model ChatGPT. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the translation and assimilation of extensive European Union (EU) legal measures into Albanian, marking a decisive move to expedite the country’s accession process.
Albania, widely recognized as the most pro-EU nation in Europe, has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for navigating the intricate landscape of EU regulations. Over 97 percent of the Albanian population favors EU membership, prompting the strategic decision to leverage ChatGPT, which was developed under the leadership of CEO Mira Murati, an Albanian-born visionary.
Proposed by Romanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the application of ChatGPT goes beyond mere translation. The model is envisioned to comprehensively analyze required changes in local legislation to align seamlessly with EU standards. Firstpost reported that the approach could replace the need for multiple translators and legal experts, resulting in substantial cost savings and expediting the integration process.
The collaboration between OpenAI and the National Agency for Information Society (AKSHI) materialized following a productive telephone meeting between Rama and Murati. Together, they aim to showcase a successful test of AI-assisted legislation interposition, covering an extensive corpus of 280,000 pages of EU legal measures at the upcoming EU summit in Brussels on December 13.
Initiated in 2009, Albania’s EU accession journey faced delays tied to the progress of North Macedonia until the summer of 2022. Prime Minister Rama, frustrated with perceived obstacles, expressed skepticism towards a new deadline for enlargement, advocating for a more extended timeframe. The ongoing bilateral crisis with Greece further complicates matters, with Rama indicating that the AI-powered legislative interposition project would be a focal point in discussions addressing the Greek dilemma.
Albania’s strategic use of ChatGPT extends beyond EU integration. Plans were unveiled in August to deploy ChatGPT to enhance public administration through the e-Albania government services platform. Furthermore, the ChatGPT-powered operator is poised to provide real-time responses and is scheduled to launch in early 2024. Additionally, AI is set to play a pivotal role in public procurement, combating corruption through transparent and data-driven processes.
If successful, Albania’s pioneering use of AI in its EU accession process could set a precedent for other candidate countries. Mira Murati, recently appointed as interim CEO of OpenAI, has yet to comment on these developments, maintaining the company’s reputation for limited public statements.
As Albania navigates the complexities of EU integration, the strategic partnership with OpenAI and the innovative use of ChatGPT position the country at the forefront of transformative AI applications in governance and diplomacy.
