In a landmark decision for the country’s technological future, Albania has officially entered the global stage of artificial intelligence. The government has announced an investment of 1 billion lek in Thinking Machines Lab, a promising AI startup founded by renowned Albanian tech leader Mira Murati — best known for her leadership at OpenAI and her work in Silicon Valley.
The announcement was made by Minister of Economy Petrit Malaj, following changes approved by the Parliamentary Committee on Economy and Finance.
“1 billion lek will be invested by the Albanian state to be part of a global project directly linked to the future,” said Minister Malaj.
This move marks the first time Albania has become part of a high-level tech venture backed by major U.S. investment firms like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, both key players in the global startup ecosystem.
A New Role for Albania in Technology
The investment is more than just financial. It sends a strong message: Albania no longer wants to be just a consumer of technology but a co-creator.
It is also symbolic. For the first time, a global Albanian figure in technology — Mira Murati — is partnering with her country of origin to shape the future of AI. This partnership opens up opportunities for Albanian talent to participate in projects at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, on a global scale.
A Smart Financial Move
Importantly, this investment will not impact the country’s financial stability. The national budget deficit remains unchanged at 68 billion lek, ensuring that the country continues to follow a responsible economic path.