Albanian actor sues government for using her face as AI minister without consent

Albanian actor sues government for using her image as "AI minister"

TIRANA, Feb 13 (Reuters) - An Albanian actor is suing the government for using her face and voice to create the avatar for an "AI minister" - a virtual member of the cabinet. When Edi Rama began his fourth term as Albania's prime minister last September, he also unveiled an AI-generated virtual minister, "Diella" - sun in Albanian - to oversee the awarding of government contracts as a step to fight corruption. Diella features the face and voice of Anila Bisha, a film and theatre actor who says she never gave consent for her likeness to be used that way, and it has led to harassment online and unwanted attention in the street. "First I was surprised, smiled and I said it must be a joke," Bisha told Reuters. "Now people call me Diella and they consider me as just another minister of the government." She says she allowed her likeness to be used last year to create an AI-powered virtual assistant for a government website to help citizens and businesses get state documents, but not as a virtual politician on the prime minister's team. "People who don't like the prime minister, now they also hate me." The government denies using her likeness improperly. The "lawsuit is nonsense, but we welcome the opportunity to solve it once and for all in a court of law," the government's press office said in response to questions from Reuters. The Albanian government's public image has been battered since December after a special prosecution unit indicted Rama's deputy, Belinda Balluku, for meddling in tenders for infrastructure projects, which she denies. Diella's image appears in the first row of the cabinet list on the government's website, opens new tab, next to photos of Rama and Balluku. A court is expected to rule on Monday whether to order the government to stop using her image. Her lawyer, Aranit Roshi, said Bisha is seeking 1 million euros in damages. "The law says that in cases of personal data violation, penalties for state institutions are up to 21 million euros so our request for 1 million is a reasonable amount," he said. Reporting by Fatos Bytyci and Florion Goga Editing by Peter Graff Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Actor takes legal action to stop Albania's government from using her image for 'AI minister'

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) -- Albania introduced what it called the world's first artificial intelligence minister last year. Turns out she wasn't entirely artificial -- at least not her face and voice. Albanian actor Anila Bisha says those belong to her -- and she never imagined the government would use her image so prominently. Now Bisha, a popular film and theater actor in Albania, is demanding her face and voice be stripped from the so-called virtual minister named Diella. Citing a violation of her personal data, Bisha filed a formal request through an administrative court in Albania this week demanding the government immediately stop using her voice and image for Diella. "This is the first legal move to prevent the abuse of Anila's image," her lawyer Aranit Roshi said. The Albanian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Albania drew global attention last year when Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the creation of what he described as the world's first artificial intelligence minister, aimed at ensuring that all public procurement tenders are handled 100% corruption-free. Diella is usually depicted in traditional Albanian national dress and is known for her punchy comebacks when prompted by government officials. Bisha acknowledged she had signed a contract agreeing that her voice and image can be used for the government's online platform e-Albania, which provides a wide range of public services in the country. But she said she was never told of any plans to use 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. She said she feels her image is now used as a political statement. It is not the first time that voices used in artificial intelligence platforms have caused a stir. In 2024, OpenAI pulled one of its ChatGPT voices, Sky, after actor Scarlett Johansson said the voice sounded "eerily similar" to her own. OpenAI said the voice used for Sky was not that of Johansson. Bisha said she had tried to contact the government multiple times since the AI minister became part of the Albanian Cabinet last September. She said she decided to begin legal proceedings after failing to receive a response requesting a meeting to discuss the issue. Bisha filed the temporary injunction with the administrative court demanding the government immediately cease using her image for Diella. Her representatives plan to file a formal lawsuit for damages and compensation. "One cannot take away one's identity and do with it whatever they want," she said.

Actor takes legal action to stop Albania's government from using her image for 'AI minister'

Albania introduced what it called the world's first artificial intelligence minister last year. Turns out she wasn't entirely artificial -- at least not her face and voice. Albanian actor Anila Bisha says those belong to her -- and she never imagined the government would use her image so prominently. Now Bisha, a popular film and theater actor in Albania, is demanding her face and voice be stripped from the so-called virtual minister named Diella. Citing a violation of her personal data, Bisha filed a formal request through an administrative court in Albania this week demanding the government immediately stop using her voice and image for Diella. "This is the first legal move to prevent the abuse of Anila's image," her lawyer Aranit Roshi said. The Albanian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Albania drew global attention last year when Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the creation of what he described as the world's first artificial intelligence minister, aimed at ensuring that all public procurement tenders are handled 100% corruption-free. Diella is usually depicted in traditional Albanian national dress and is known for her punchy comebacks when prompted by government officials. Bisha acknowledged she had signed a contract agreeing that her voice and image can be used for the government's online platform e-Albania, which provides a wide range of public services in the country. But she said she was never told of any plans to use 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. She said she feels her image is now used as a political statement. It is not the first time that voices used in artificial intelligence platforms have caused a stir. In 2024, OpenAI pulled one of its ChatGPT voices, Sky, after actor Scarlett Johansson said the voice sounded "eerily similar" to her own. OpenAI said the voice used for Sky was not that of Johansson. Bisha said she had tried to contact the government multiple times since the AI minister became part of the Albanian Cabinet last September. She said she decided to begin legal proceedings after failing to receive a response requesting a meeting to discuss the issue. Bisha filed the temporary injunction with the administrative court demanding the government immediately cease using her image for Diella. Her representatives plan to file a formal lawsuit for damages and compensation. "One cannot take away one's identity and do with it whatever they want," she said.

Actor takes legal action to stop Albania's government from using her image for 'AI minister'

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) -- Albania introduced what it called the world's first artificial intelligence minister last year. Turns out she wasn't entirely artificial -- at least not her face and voice. Albanian actor Anila Bisha says those belong to her -- and she never imagined the government would use her image so prominently. Now Bisha, a popular film and theater actor in Albania, is demanding her face and voice be stripped from the so-called virtual minister named Diella. Citing a violation of her personal data, Bisha filed a formal request through an administrative court in Albania this week demanding the government immediately stop using her voice and image for Diella. "This is the first legal move to prevent the abuse of Anila's image," her lawyer Aranit Roshi said. The Albanian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Albania drew global attention last year when Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the creation of what he described as the world's first artificial intelligence minister, aimed at ensuring that all public procurement tenders are handled 100% corruption-free. Diella is usually depicted in traditional Albanian national dress and is known for her punchy comebacks when prompted by government officials. Bisha acknowledged she had signed a contract agreeing that her voice and image can be used for the government's online platform e-Albania, which provides a wide range of public services in the country. But she said she was never told of any plans to use 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. She said she feels her image is now used as a political statement. It is not the first time that voices used in artificial intelligence platforms have caused a stir. In 2024, OpenAI pulled one of its ChatGPT voices, Sky, after actor Scarlett Johansson said the voice sounded "eerily similar" to her own. OpenAI said the voice used for Sky was not that of Johansson. Bisha said she had tried to contact the government multiple times since the AI minister became part of the Albanian Cabinet last September. She said she decided to begin legal proceedings after failing to receive a response requesting a meeting to discuss the issue. Bisha filed the temporary injunction with the administrative court demanding the government immediately cease using her image for Diella. Her representatives plan to file a formal lawsuit for damages and compensation. "One cannot take away one's identity and do with it whatever they want," she said.

Albanian Actor Sues Government for Using Her Image as 'AI Minister'

By Fatos Bytyci and Florion Goga TIRANA, Feb 13 (Reuters) - ⁠An ⁠Albanian actor is suing the ⁠government for using her face and voice to create the avatar for an "AI minister" - a virtual member of the cabinet. When Edi Rama began his fourth term as Albania's prime minister last September, he also unveiled an AI-generated virtual minister, "Diella" - sun in Albanian - to oversee the awarding of ⁠government contracts ⁠as a step to fight corruption. Diella features the face and voice of Anila Bisha, a film and theatre actor who says she never gave consent for her likeness to be used that way, and it has led to harassment online and unwanted attention in the street. "First I was surprised, smiled and I said it must be a joke," ⁠Bisha ⁠told Reuters. "Now people call me ⁠Diella and they consider me as just another minister of the government." She says she allowed her likeness to be used last ⁠year to create an AI-powered virtual assistant for a government website to help citizens and businesses get state documents, but not as a virtual politician on the prime minister's team. "People who don't like the prime minister, now they also hate me." The government denies using her ⁠likeness improperly. The "lawsuit is nonsense, but we welcome the opportunity to solve it once ⁠and for all in a court of law," the government's press office said in response to questions from Reuters. The Albanian government's public image has been battered since December after a special prosecution unit indicted Rama's deputy, Belinda Balluku, for meddling in tenders for infrastructure projects, which she denies. Diella's image appears in the first row of the cabinet list on the government's website, next to photos of Rama and Balluku. A court is expected to rule on Monday whether to order ⁠the government to stop using her image. Her lawyer, Aranit Roshi, said Bisha is seeking 1 million euros in damages. "The law says that in cases of personal data violation, penalties for state institutions are up to 21 million euros so our request for 1 million is a reasonable amount," he said. (Reporting by Fatos Bytyci and Florion GogaEditing by Peter Graff)

Albanian actor sues government for using her image as "AI minister"

An Albanian actor is suing the government. She claims her face and voice were used for an AI minister avatar without her permission. This has caused her distress and unwanted attention. The government denies wrongdoing. A court will decide on Monday whether to stop the use of her image. The actor is seeking one million euros in damages. An Albanian actor is suing the government for using her face and voice to create the avatar for an "AI minister" - a virtual member of the cabinet. When Edi Rama began his fourth term as Albania's prime minister last September, he also unveiled an AI-generated virtual minister, "Diella" - sun in Albanian - to oversee the awarding of government contracts as a ⁠step ⁠to fight corruption. Diella features the face and voice of Anila Bisha, a film and theatre actor who says she never gave consent for her likeness to be used that way, and it has led to harassment online and unwanted attention in the street. "First I was surprised, smiled and I said it must be a joke," Bisha told Reuters. "Now people call me Diella and they consider me as ⁠just another minister of the government." She says she allowed her likeness to be used last year to create an AI-powered virtual assistant for a ⁠government website to help citizens and businesses get state documents, but not as a virtual politician on the prime minister's team. "People who don't like the prime minister, now they also hate me." The government denies using her likeness improperly. The "lawsuit is nonsense, but we welcome the opportunity to solve it once and for all in a court of law," the government's press office said in response to questions from Reuters. The Albanian government's public image has been battered since December after a special prosecution unit indicted Rama's deputy, Belinda Balluku, for meddling in tenders for infrastructure projects, which she denies. Diella's image appears ⁠in the first row of the cabinet list on the government's website, next to photos of Rama and Balluku. A court is expected to rule on Monday whether to order the government to stop using her image. Her lawyer, Aranit Roshi, said Bisha is seeking 1 million euros in damages. "The law says that in cases of personal data violation, penalties for state institutions are up to 21 million euros so our request for 1 million is a reasonable amount," he said.

Actor Takes Legal Action to Stop Albania's Government From Using Her Image for 'AI Minister'

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) -- Albania introduced what it called the world's first artificial intelligence minister last year. Turns out she wasn't entirely artificial -- at least not her face and voice. Albanian actor Anila Bisha says those belong to her -- and she never imagined the government would use her image so prominently. Now Bisha, a popular film and theater actor in Albania, is demanding her face and voice be stripped from the so-called virtual minister named Diella. Citing a violation of her personal data, Bisha filed a formal request through an administrative court in Albania this week demanding the government immediately stop using her voice and image for Diella. "This is the first legal move to prevent the abuse of Anila's image," her lawyer Aranit Roshi said. The Albanian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Albania drew global attention last year when Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the creation of what he described as the world's first artificial intelligence minister, aimed at ensuring that all public procurement tenders are handled 100% corruption-free. Diella is usually depicted in traditional Albanian national dress and is known for her punchy comebacks when prompted by government officials. Bisha acknowledged she had signed a contract agreeing that her voice and image can be used for the government's online platform e-Albania, which provides a wide range of public services in the country. But she said she was never told of any plans to use 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. She said she feels her image is now used as a political statement. It is not the first time that voices used in artificial intelligence platforms have caused a stir. In 2024, OpenAI pulled one of its ChatGPT voices, Sky, after actor Scarlett Johansson said the voice sounded "eerily similar" to her own. OpenAI said the voice used for Sky was not that of Johansson. Bisha said she had tried to contact the government multiple times since the AI minister became part of the Albanian Cabinet last September. She said she decided to begin legal proceedings after failing to receive a response requesting a meeting to discuss the issue. Bisha filed the temporary injunction with the administrative court demanding the government immediately cease using her image for Diella. Her representatives plan to file a formal lawsuit for damages and compensation. "One cannot take away one's identity and do with it whatever they want," she said.