In a bold move, an aspiring British politician, Andrew Gray, turned to artificial intelligence (AI) to craft his manifesto for the parliamentary by-election for the constituency of Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire.
Fox News reported that despite securing only 99 votes and finishing 11th out of 13 candidates, Gray's approach has sparked discussions about the potential impact of AI on political campaigns.
AI's Influence on Political Parties
Alan Mendoza, co-founder and executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, acknowledged to Fox News the audacity of Gray's idea but highlighted that mainstream politicians might not rush to adopt such a move yet, given the seemingly underwhelming outcome.
However, Mendoza believes AI's influence on political parties in the UK, particularly in data sourcing, targeting, and campaign focus, is inevitable. He anticipates that the first successful AI-inspired candidate may soon emerge from one of the major parties, leveraging the electoral advantages they already possess.
Gray's campaign was fueled by a novel approach, as he encouraged constituents to express their opinions on local matters using Pol.is, a program developed by a Seattle-based group employed in Taiwan to address contentious issues.
Although Gray made it clear that Pol.is differs from generative AI models such as ChatGPT, he emphasized its significance as an advanced polling tool, leveraging machine learning and real-time data analysis to offer valuable insights.
Stacy Rosenberg, an associate teaching professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, praised the approach for its potential to engage constituents more directly in the electoral process.
This form of platform building enables participation and fosters community engagement, which can prove extremely attractive to voters seeking a voice in decision-making.
Unlike concerns about AI spreading false information, Pol.is facilitates active conversations, ensuring that ethical considerations for public policies are still considered, according to Rosenberg.
AI's Impact on the Electoral Process
Rosenberg emphasized that AI's impact on electoral processes goes beyond platform crowdsourcing. It has the potential to assist in speech writing, marketing materials, and various other campaign aspects.
However, she underscored the importance of striking a balance between promoting participation and preventing AI from taking complete control of the process.
One significant risk highlighted by Rosenberg is the potential for politicians to appear insincere if they fail to align with the views expressed through crowdsourcing.
Rosernberg said voters desire candidates who genuinely share their beliefs, and any perception of a politician being easily swayed by shifting public opinions could undermine trust in their ability to protect voters' interests in the long term.
While Gray's AI-generated manifesto might have yet to yield electoral success, exploring AI's role in politics opens up new possibilities for engagement and dialogue between politicians and their constituents.
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