By Karen Barlow
Publication Date: 2025-12-05 13:00:00
The Albanian government unveiled its National AI Plan this week, after years of deliberations and a remarkable pivot in favor of self-regulation of a global industry worth trillions of dollars.
The new “opportunity first” approach aims to harness the productivity and innovation that AI is supposed to deliver. The plan notably rejects the mandatory protections contained in a standalone artificial intelligence law proposed by former industry minister Ed Husic.
Critics are concerned about the extensive lobbying behind the creation of a “whole of government framework” aimed at accelerating investment in energy-intensive data centers and training initiatives without a central regulator.
Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres rejects this formulation, emphasizing the establishment of a $30 million AI security institute and a ministerial promise of further “refinement.”
“There are clear responsibilities for existing regulators…
