AGP Executive Report

AI & Policing: Albanian diplomatic representatives joined a Dubai dialogue on using AI to tackle cyber threats and illicit finance, ahead of the World Police Summit in November. Drone Procurement: Albania is among eight new participants in the U.S. Army’s digital drone and counter-drone marketplace, which has expanded to 29 countries and processed $800 million in purchases. AI in Healthcare: A case involving a young Albanian patient who died after a bone-marrow transplant highlights the promise and risks of AI translation for medical instructions, where misunderstandings can have serious consequences.

AI in Government: Albania’s experiments with artificial intelligence—from a jailed mayor’s AI-generated avatar to the appointment of an “AI minister”—are raising questions about whether the technology can work reliably in public life. Drone Procurement: Albania has joined a U.S. Army digital marketplace for pre-approved drones and counter-drone systems, which aims to cut purchasing procedures from months to days. The agreement is a step toward access, not a confirmed equipment order.

Defense Technology: Albania has joined the U.S. Army’s digital marketplace for pre-vetted drones and counter-drone systems. The platform can shorten purchasing procedures from months to days, though it does not guarantee faster delivery. Health Research: Albania is part of a €4.7 million EU-funded project to bring smoking-cessation services into routine healthcare. A pilot across Albania, Armenia, Georgia and Serbia will track about 1,700 patients. AI in Government: Albania’s political experiments include an AI-generated avatar for a jailed mayor and the appointment of an AI minister, amid questions about whether the technology can work reliably in public administration.

AI in Government: Albania’s digital push is putting artificial intelligence into politics, from a jailed mayor’s AI-generated avatar to the appointment of an AI minister. The experiment is drawing scrutiny over whether the technology can work in public administration and democracy. Research and Health: Albania is among four countries in an EU-funded project testing how to embed smoking-cessation care in health services. The five-year pilot will track about 1,700 patients across 34 clinics. Drone Technology: Albania joined a US Army marketplace for unmanned aircraft, which aims to speed up partner countries’ access to approved systems. Joining does not mean Albania has placed an order.

AI in Government: Albania is emerging as a test case for political AI, from a jailed mayor’s AI-generated avatar to the world’s first “AI minister.” The country’s digital ambitions face technical hurdles and questions about democracy. Drone Technology: Albania signed a statement of intent to join the U.S. Army’s drone marketplace, now involving 33 nations and processing military procurement. Health Research: Albania is among nine countries in an EU-funded project to embed smoking-cessation care in health systems. A pilot across Albania, Armenia, Georgia and Serbia will track about 1,700 patients at 34 healthcare facilities.

Health Research: Albania is among nine countries in the EU-funded ACTS initiative, launched this week to bring smoking-cessation care into routine health services. A five-year pilot will cover 34 facilities in Albania, Armenia, Georgia and Serbia and track about 1,700 patients. Industry and EU Integration: Albania provisionally closed accession Chapter 20 on enterprise and industrial policy, its fourth chapter closure, as it presses ahead with reforms to support businesses and jobs. Technology Partnerships: Albania and Israel signed a wider cooperation deal covering technology and innovation, alongside trade, security and other sectors. Telecommunications: Albania and Montenegro signed a cross-border radio-frequency agreement, a step toward coordinating use of the airwaves.

EU Integration: Albania and the EU provisionally closed negotiations on enterprise and industrial policy, adding to four chapters closed so far, including science and research. Tech Partnerships: A new Albania-Israel agreement sets a framework for cooperation in technology and innovation, alongside cybersecurity, energy, water and healthcare. Smart Manufacturing: Eco Buildings says its AI-enabled automated production line in Durrës remains on schedule, with readiness targeted by the end of 2026; the equipment is not yet operating. Connectivity: Albania and Montenegro agreed to coordinate TV broadcast frequencies near their border to prevent signal interference and protect mobile services. Conservation Research: An EU-backed project will protect Egyptian vultures along their migration route between the Balkans and Africa, tackling threats including poisoning and unsafe power lines.

Technology Ties: Albania and Israel signed a cooperation agreement covering technology and innovation, alongside cybersecurity, energy, healthcare and other sectors. It sets a framework for future partnerships; no specific technology projects were announced. Smart Manufacturing: Eco Buildings says an automated production line for wall panels at its Durrës facility remains on schedule, with operational readiness targeted by the end of 2026. The equipment is not yet commissioned. Digital Infrastructure: Albania and Montenegro agreed to coordinate digital TV radio frequencies to reduce signal interference in border areas. AI in Public Life: Tirana’s jailed mayor Erion Veliaj used an AI-generated video to address residents, drawing attention to synthetic media’s growing role in local politics.

Technology Partnerships: Albania and Israel signed a cooperation agreement covering technology and innovation, alongside trade, energy, water and healthcare. Albania also says Israel has helped strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities. Industrial Automation: Eco Buildings’ new automated wall-panel production line in Durrës remains on schedule, with readiness targeted for the end of 2026; it is not yet operational. Telecoms: Albania and Montenegro agreed to coordinate digital TV frequencies to reduce border interference and protect broadcasts and mobile services. AI and Public Life: Tirana’s jailed mayor Erion Veliaj used an AI-generated version of himself to address residents, putting synthetic media’s role in public communication in the spotlight. Environment: Toxic industrial dust and recurring fires at Elbasan’s steelworks have renewed concern about pollution and the city’s environmental health.

Technology Partnership: Albania and Israel signed a cooperation agreement covering innovation, technology, energy and water management. Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha also credited Israeli support in strengthening Albania’s cybersecurity after the 2022 cyberattacks. Telecoms: Albania and Montenegro agreed to coordinate digital-TV frequencies to reduce cross-border signal interference and protect mobile services. AI and Public Life: Jailed Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj says he will keep addressing residents through an AI-generated version of himself while awaiting trial on corruption charges, putting synthetic media’s role in public communication in focus. Environment and Research: REC Albania joined the IUCN conservation network, aiming to build science-based partnerships as the country faces pressure from climate change and habitat loss. Archaeologists near Lushnja also uncovered a sixth-century farmhouse that may offer clues to everyday life in ancient Albania.

AI and Politics: Jailed Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj says he will keep addressing residents through an AI-generated version of himself while awaiting trial on corruption charges. Internet Access: An Albanian Starlink customer says speeds fell below 25 Mbps after usage passed 5TB, highlighting data-cap complaints that remain unresolved in some markets. Environmental Health: Inspectors in Elbasan found 318 tonnes of toxic industrial dust stored without safe-disposal contracts after fires at a chrome factory; the site was temporarily shut. Archaeology: An excavation near Lushnja uncovered a roughly 1,400-year-old farmhouse, giving researchers new clues about everyday life in sixth-century Albania.

Industrial Pollution: Fires at Elbasan’s chrome works exposed 318 tonnes of toxic dust stored without safe-disposal arrangements. The site was temporarily shut, renewing concern over the city’s long-running industrial contamination. Connectivity: An Albanian Starlink customer says speeds were throttled after usage passed 5TB, despite being assured there was no such limit; the cap remains in place in several markets. Wildlife Conservation: A new EU-backed project will coordinate protection for the endangered Egyptian vulture along its Balkan-to-Africa migration route, targeting poisoning, poaching and dangerous power lines. Archaeology: Excavations near Lushnja uncovered a sixth-century farmhouse, where researchers are studying artifacts and plant remains to learn more about daily life in ancient Albania. Conservation Partnerships: REC Albania has joined IUCN, aiming to deepen science-based conservation work and cooperation on biodiversity and sustainable resource management.

Conservation: A new EU-backed project will coordinate efforts across the Egyptian Vulture’s Balkan-to-Africa migration route, targeting poisoning, poaching and dangerous power lines. REC Albania has also joined IUCN, aiming to build science-based conservation partnerships. Archaeology: Excavations near Lushnja uncovered a 1,400-year-old farmhouse; researchers are studying artefacts and plant remains for clues to daily life. Digital Access: An Albanian Starlink user says speeds were throttled after monthly usage passed 5TB, despite assurances of unrestricted service. Pollution: Reporting on Elbasan details toxic industrial dust, repeated smoke incidents and a corruption-tainted incinerator project that failed to tackle the city’s pollution. AI and Politics: A jailed Albanian mayor reportedly used an AI avatar to deliver a deepfake speech, highlighting the risks of synthetic media.

Biodiversity: A new EU-backed project brings 15 organisations together to protect the endangered Egyptian vulture across its Balkan breeding grounds and migration routes. REC Albania has also joined IUCN, aiming to strengthen science-based conservation partnerships. Internet Access: Albanian Starlink users report speed restrictions after using 5TB of data, despite the service being advertised as unlimited. Archaeology: Excavations near Lushnja uncovered a roughly 1,400-year-old farmhouse that may reveal what people grew and ate in sixth-century Albania. Public Services: The government plans to use AI in public procurement, though details of the proposal remain limited. Health Research: An EU-led assessment aims to strengthen Albania’s cross-sector response to antimicrobial resistance.

Prespa Conservation: Albania, Greece and North Macedonia have joined forces to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the Prespa region, highlighting its biodiversity and shared cultural heritage. Science and Nature: REC Albania’s new IUCN membership is intended to build research links and support practical conservation as ecosystems face climate and development pressures. Archaeology: A 1,400-year-old farmhouse near Lushnja could reveal what people grew, ate and how they lived in sixth-century Albania. Digital Government: Albania plans to use AI to track public contracts from announcement to final payment, with initial steps expected this autumn. Connectivity: An Albanian Starlink customer says speeds were throttled after reaching 5TB of data, despite being assured there was no such limit. Industrial Pollution: In Elbasan, inspectors found 318 tonnes of toxic industrial dust stored without safe-disposal arrangements, renewing concerns about pollution and public health.

Conservation: REC Albania has joined the IUCN to build research partnerships and strengthen science-based protection as climate change and habitat loss pressure the country’s ecosystems. Archaeology: A 1,400-year-old farmhouse near Lushnja is offering clues to rural life in the sixth century; researchers are studying artifacts and plant remains from the site. Connectivity: An Albanian Starlink customer says speeds fell below 25 Mbps after reaching 5TB, despite being assured the service had no such limit. Public Technology: Albania plans to use AI to track government contracts from announcement to final payment, with initial steps expected this autumn. Environment: Fires at Elbasan’s chrome works exposed 318 tonnes of toxic industrial dust stored without safe-treatment contracts, renewing concerns over pollution in the city.