Running for Office? Get Yourself an Ai Avatar.

The Story:

Friendlier and more charming than your average politician, and available 24/7 to answer any questions you might have about policy—that’s the value proposition to the constituents of Brighton and Hove on the South Coast of England. AI Steve, the first ‘Artificially Intelligent’ candidate, is running for Parliament under the Smarter UK party and he’s ready to revolutionize how constituents engage and communicate with their elected representatives.

Steve Endacott, the serial tech entrepreneur for whom AI Steve was modeled, believes his AI-powered likeness allows him to be ubiquitous to the benefit of his constituents. This is a feature of the technology, of course, not a pervasive bug. He told NBC News, “I don’t have to go knock on their door, get them out of bed, when they don’t want to talk to me,” which, according to him, is becoming an archaic practice (NBC News). Instead, at https://www.ai-steve.co.uk/, voters come to AI Steve and speak with a cartoonish-looking avatar that mirrors the real Steve in looks and sound. The technology was developed by Neural Voice, a company he holds a stake in and where he sits as chairman of the board.

Endacott’s association with Neural Voice, the company behind his AI avatar, might be a cause of concern for some. This scenario, reminiscent of a scene out of “Black Mirror,” raises questions about the ethics of a tech guru creating an omnipresent digital avatar and positioning it before a potentially vulnerable and susceptible audience. Voters will have to debate whether this innovative use of AI is genuinely beneficial or just downright creepy.

However, when speaking with The Independent, Endacott claimed he was simply “a bit of a numpty being told what to do.” He explained, “That is the whole idea of democracy. You have to put away your own personal politics, your own ego and actually do what your constituents want” (The Independent).

Building on this democratic approach, Endacott has developed an intuitive system designed to ensure that the proposed policies genuinely reflect the community’s needs and desires. According to AI Steve’s website, this system relies on local validators, who play a crucial role in evaluating and endorsing these policies.

Here’s how it works:

• Step 1: Suggest a Policy: Constituents can propose new policies through AI Steve.
• Step 2: Local Review: A panel of local residents, called validators, reviews these suggestions.
• Step 3: Scoring: Each validator rates the proposals on a scale of one to ten.
• Step 4: Adoption: Only the policies that get enough support (majority approval) are adopted into AI Steve’s platform.

This process aims to democratize policy-making, enabling continuous and direct feedback from the electorate. By incorporating the community’s input, it ensures that the decisions made in Parliament align closely with the public’s desires.

Editors Take:

AI Steve represents a radical shift in how we might think about political representation and engagement. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Steve Endacott aims to create a more direct and responsive dialogue between constituents and their representative. While the idea of an AI candidate may seem like something out of science fiction, it also opens up exciting possibilities for the future of democracy.

However, this innovative approach does come with its own set of concerns. The ethical implications of using AI in politics, potential biases in the technology, and the overarching influence of tech companies like Neural Voice all need careful consideration. As AI Steve steps into the political arena, the true test will be how well this new tool serves the people it aims to represent and whether it can genuinely enhance the democratic process without compromising its integrity.

Ultimately, the success of AI Steve will depend on the willingness of voters to embrace this new technology and actively participate in shaping its policies. If successful, AI Steve could pave the way for more AI-driven initiatives in politics, offering a glimpse into a future where technology and democracy work hand in hand for the betterment of society.

10 FAQ's about Ai Steve:

1. First AI Candidate in UK Parliament: AI Steve is the first AI candidate running for a parliamentary seat in the UK, specifically in the Brighton Pavilion constituency.
2. Developed by Neural Voice: The AI was created by Neural Voice, a company specializing in conversational AI, with Steve Endacott as the chairman.
3. Platform for Public Interaction: AI Steve allows constituents to interact with it 24/7 through a chatbot interface, enabling continuous feedback and policy development based on public input.
4. Practical Green Policies: AI Steve’s platform emphasizes practical green initiatives, such as promoting electric vehicle adoption and addressing climate change with feasible solutions.
5. Transparency and Honesty: Steve Endacott stresses the importance of transparency and honesty in politics, advocating for raising taxes to improve NHS and education while cutting through political “bullshit”.
6. Policy Creation Process: Constituents propose policies through AI Steve, which are then validated by a group of local residents to ensure they reflect public opinion. Only policies with majority support are adopted.
7. Direct Democracy Tool: AI Steve is seen as a tool to bridge the gap between politicians and constituents, making politics more interactive and responsive by allowing direct input and control over parliamentary decisions .
8. 24/7 Availability: AI Steve is available for conversations 24/7, including holidays, making it more accessible than traditional MPs who have limited availability for constituent meetings.
9. Focus on Local Issues: AI Steve’s policies are tailored to address local issues in Brighton and Hove, such as improving transportation infrastructure and public services.
10. Endacott’s Disillusionment with Traditional Politics: Steve Endacott’s motivation to create AI Steve stemmed from his dissatisfaction with traditional political processes and the disconnect between MPs and their constituents.