In the upcoming July 4 national election in Britain, voters in Brighton Pavilion will encounter a groundbreaking candidate on their ballots: an artificial intelligence known as “AI Steve.” This unique campaign is spearheaded by businessman Steve Endacott, who aims to challenge traditional politics with technology. Rather than featuring Endacott himself on campaign materials, AI Steve, an AI-generated avatar, will represent his candidacy.
Endacott, backed by his company Neural Voice, expressed his disillusionment with conventional political systems, prompting him to run independently for a parliamentary seat. His AI counterpart engages directly with locals in real-time discussions covering a wide range of issues such as LGBTQ rights, housing, waste management, and immigration.
After gathering input from constituents, AI Steve proposes policy ideas and seeks further suggestions, aiming to revolutionize democratic engagement.
“We’re launching a party, we’re going to be recruiting more AI candidates across the country after this election, and we see this as the launch, building block for something big and something democratic,” Endacott stated in an interview with Reuters.
Despite the innovative approach, skepticism remains prevalent among Brighton residents regarding the concept of an AI lawmaker. Many locals, like charity worker Eona Johnston, 23, see potential in integrating AI into politics, believing it could positively impact societal norms and governance.
“We’re using AI in so many (areas), at work, social interactions, why don’t we put it in politics?” Johnston remarked enthusiastically after engaging with AI Steve near Brighton’s iconic pier. “It might change the way we live.”
However, not all residents share the optimism. Jim Cheek, a 37-year-old accountant, pointed out the essential role of a parliamentarian in advocating for constituents’ interests directly within legislative bodies. Another local, Andy Clawson, 42, echoed concerns about trust, drawing a parallel between AI and human politicians’ reliability.
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The Electoral Commission, responsible for overseeing elections in the UK, clarified that if Steve Endacott wins the seat, he would serve as the Member of Parliament (MP), not the AI version of him. This distinction underscores the novelty of AI Steve’s candidacy within the established electoral framework.
As the election date approaches, the Brighton Pavilion constituency stands at the forefront of a global experiment in AI’s role in governance. Whether AI Steve secures enough support to enter parliament remains uncertain, but his candidacy marks a significant step towards exploring the intersection of technology and democracy in contemporary politics.
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