The guidelines set out how teachers and students can use AI tools, including platforms such as ChatGPT and Gemini, as well as information-verification tools, with the aim of using the technology to strengthen rather than replace human skills.

Teachers may use AI to prepare learning materials and create exercises, questions, quizzes and tests, as well as to develop materials tailored to students at different levels.

Its use can extend across a broad range of subjects, from Albanian and foreign languages to mathematics, arts and physical education. AI can also be used to translate texts, provide language corrections and assist with lesson planning.

The guidelines also envisage the use of AI in formative assessment. Teachers can use it to help develop assessment criteria and rubrics, prepare questions and quizzes, and generate feedback aimed at helping students improve.

Final decisions, however, rest with the teacher, who must verify AI-generated content and ensure that assessments are accurate and genuinely reflect a student’s progress, the guidelines say.

Students are likewise encouraged to use AI responsibly for research, project work and developing creativity.

The guidelines highlight risks associated with the technology, including misinformation, privacy breaches, digital dependency and the unethical use of AI-generated content.

Despite the opportunities AI offers in teaching and learning, its use also presents limitations and challenges that teachers, students, school administrators and other participants in the education process must understand and take into account, the document says.

“AI is a valuable support tool, but it is not infallible, does not always understand the specific context of the classroom and cannot replace the professional judgment of the teacher,” the guidelines say.

The document places particular emphasis on preventing plagiarism. Students may use AI to understand a concept, seek suggestions or improve their work, but AI-generated responses should not be copied directly and presented as their own.

Teachers are therefore encouraged to ask students to explain how they worked and how they arrived at their final product, placing emphasis on critical thinking, creativity and academic integrity.

The guidelines aim to establish a controlled and responsible approach to AI in pre-university education, ensuring that the technology serves the learning process and helps develop students’ skills rather than replacing them.

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According to the decision, high-security infrastructure and technologies must guarantee the protection of sensitive data of citizens, identity and biometric data, as well as blank physical biometric documents.

Within the framework of the amendment, the company is given the opportunity to develop, integrate or administer critical state platforms and systems, as well as to provide additional services in function of the production and distribution of biometric documents.

The envisaged activity also includes the design, development, implementation, operation and maintenance of electronic systems related to biometric and digital identity, electronic identification, authentication, traceability and electronic verification.

According to the decision, the company may also offer other technological or integrated services that serve to achieve this goal.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the joint-stock company responsible for the production and distribution of biometric documents and the “ALBTrace Co” are responsible for implementing the decision.

The decision enters into force after its publication in the “Official Gazette”. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

During the hearing, Veliaj requested the recusal of Judge Etleva Dedja, arguing that she had denied him the right to an effective defence.

Following exchanges between the parties, Veliaj left the courtroom before the hearing concluded.

A court-appointed lawyer, Valentina Teodoresku, asked for the session to be postponed, saying she had not yet reviewed the case file.

The court said it had presented its final conclusions in the case on Monday, declaring the defence phase closed.

Separately, another GJKKO judge is expected within five days to decide whether to accept Veliaj’s request for Judge Dedja’s recusal.

According to prosecutors from the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), Veliaj faces 13 charges, including nine counts of passive corruption, money laundering, failure to declare assets, abuse of office and smuggling prohibited items into prison. His wife, Ajola Xoxa, has also been sent to trial.

Veliaj has been in custody for nearly a year, having been arrested on Feb. 10, 2025.

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Speaking at a press conference after a meeting of the Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania, Governor Gent Sejko said the decision was made after reviewing recent economic and monetary developments and their expected outlook.

“The Supervisory Council also kept the overnight deposit rate at 1.5% and the overnight lending rate at 3.5%,” Sejko said.

He said Albania’s economy continued to expand, with key indicators of economic, monetary and financial stability remaining solid. Inflation edged up slightly in the third quarter but stayed low and below the bank’s target, Sejko added.

“Financial markets have generally been calm and lending has increased. Our flexible approach, supported by fiscal coordination and exchange rate developments, has ensured a monetary environment that supports credit growth, consumption and investment,” he said.

Sejko said the economy is expected to maintain similar growth trends in the coming period, while inflation is projected to return to central bank’s target in the first half of next year.

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In remarks to the media, Berisha said the ruling was “a decision of great importance” in defense of the Albanian Constitution and the constitutional order.

“I salute the unanimous decision of the judges, who defended the Constitution and constitutionalism from its enemies,” Berisha said.

He reiterated the Democratic Party’s full support for independent candidate Florian Binaj in the upcoming Tirana election.

“I believe and hope that, following this decision, all opposition parties will reconfirm their support for Florian Binaj, who, as you know, was warmly received by the citizens of Tirana across all groups and communities,” Berisha added.

The DP leader said his party was also ready to continue the electoral race in five other municipalities.

Commenting on the recent decision in parliament to move to a vote on the agenda without debate, Berisha said the legislature “is moving rapidly toward its own end,” adding that the opposition “will continue to stand firm in every session in defense of parliamentary rules and the Constitution.”

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Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko said in a press conference that the Council deemed the current monetary policy appropriate to support economic growth while keeping inflation under control.

Sejko highlighted that domestic consumption, investments, and tourism continue to bolster economic expansion.

Based on this assessment, the Council also opted to keep the one-day deposit interest rate unchanged at 1.5%, and the one-day lending interest rate steady at 3.5%.

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Speaking at a conference titled “Stability and Development through Economy and Innovation,” Ibrahimaj explained that the indexation rate reflects the increase in the cost of living for pensioners, slightly exceeding the average consumer price index from July 2024 to August 2025.

The Economy and Innovation Minister said pension reform remains a work in progress, with plans focused on raising the minimum and average pensions over the next four years. Albania currently has around 753,000 pensioners and approximately 143,000 beneficiaries of other social schemes.

Ibrahimaj also reviewed economic growth in the second quarter, highlighting sectors such as construction, services, tourism, and transport as key contributors.

Industrial output grew by 1.79%, with manufacturing maintaining last year’s levels. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing expanded by 2.62%, while the information and telecommunications sectors recorded double-digit growth, playing a critical role in modernizing both public and private sectors.

Ibrahimaj note that tourism activity surged by 19% in Q2, reflecting strong performance in hotels and related services.

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According to the government decision, all educational institutions, secondary schools and vocational schools with 80 to 700 students must have at least one school safety officer, while two security officers will be deployed in schools with more than 700 students.

All upper secondary schools and vocational schools with over 80 students must have at least one school safety officer, while primary education schools or combined schools with over 350 students will also be assigned an officer.

The same doubling rule will apply in schools with 900 students. Vocational schools over 700 students must also have two officers.

Funding for these positions will come from the existing budgets of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.

The ministries of Education, Interior, and Economy are tasked with implementing the decision, which enters into force after its publication on the Official Gazette.

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The exact locations remain undisclosed, but the decision excludes high-intensity farming areas from cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. Myzeqe and Korça – Albania’s agricultural heartlands – are excluded from the map of areas designated for cannabis cultivation in order to protect agriculture development and food production.

Under the decision, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Interior, the National Cannabis Control agency and licensed entities are tasked with enforcing this decision.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Anila Denaj said in a press statement after a regular cabinet meeting last week that ten zones have been designated to host cannabis cultivation for medical and industrial purposes.

“These areas were chosen carefully. We focused on land suitability, ensured a safe distance from schools and homes, and kept them at least three kilometres from active beekeeping sites,” Agriculture Minister explained.

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The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania also decided to maintain the interest rate on the overnight lending facility unchanged at 3.75 and the overnight deposit facility at 1.75%.

The Supervisory Council also reviewed and approved some amendments to the regulations “On Consumer Credit and Mortgage Credit” and “On Transparency for Banking and Financial Products and Services.”

According to central bank, the amendments are designed to increase consumer protection, aiming to further reduce borrowing costs for consumer credit and to enhance transparency for these products, especially for non-banking financial institutions.

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