- An artificial intelligence (AI) candidate named AI Steve, represented by Sussex businessman Steve Endacott, is set to contest in the upcoming general election in the Brighton Pavilion area of Brighton and Hove, UK. Endacott, also the chairman of Neural Voice, a company specialising in AI avatars, has positioned AI Steve as his “AI co-pilot.”
- AI Steve’s candidacy represents a pioneering attempt to integrate AI into traditional political processes, aiming to enhance democratic participation and policy responsiveness. By enabling continuous interaction between voters and the political process, AI Steve challenges the conventional model of periodic elections and limited constituent engagement.
OUR TAKE
An artificial intelligence candidate named AI Steve is going to the election field in the borough of Paveleon in Brighton, UK, and the mastermind behind it is AI avatar Steve Endacott. This AI has become a “co-pilot”, which sounds pretty cool, but it makes me a little bit suspicious. Remember when the algorithms recommended news, always took people into the information cocoon. Although the AI Steve set is interactive and can give immediate feedback on policies, what if it becomes a control tool that “knows you best”? Democracy, we need people to think more, not just listen to the machine.
–Miurio huang, BTW reporter
What happened
An artificial intelligence (AI) candidate named AI Steve, represented by Sussex businessman Steve Endacott, is set to contest in the upcoming general election in the Brighton Pavilion area of Brighton and Hove, UK Endacott, also the chairman of Neural Voice, a company specialising in AI avatars, has positioned AI Steve as his “AI co-pilot.” This AI entity is one of several created by Neural Voice to showcase its technology in a political context.
AI Steve functions as an interactive platform where constituents can engage directly, asking questions and providing feedback on Endacott’s policies. The AI leverages a vast database of information about party policies to respond in voice and text formats. It even conducts internet research to address queries on issues where policies are not yet defined.
Endacott aims to democratise political engagement through AI Steve by involving a diverse group of “validators” from the public. These validators score policies weekly, with those receiving over 50% approval becoming official party policies. This approach, according to Endacott, ensures that every decision reflects the will of the voters in real-time, rather than just during election cycles.
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Why it’s important
AI Steve’s candidacy represents a pioneering attempt to integrate AI into traditional political processes, aiming to enhance democratic participation and policy responsiveness. By enabling continuous interaction between voters and the political process, AI Steve challenges the conventional model of periodic elections and limited constituent engagement.
The introduction of AI Steve sparks critical debates about the future of democracy and technology’s role in governance. Supporters view it as a progressive step towards more inclusive and responsive politics, where technological innovation facilitates direct citizen involvement in policy-making. This approach not only increases accessibility but also potentially broadens political participation beyond traditional barriers.
Conversely, critics express concerns over the implications of AI in politics, questioning its ability to truly represent human interests and values. They argue that while technology can enhance efficiency, it risks depersonalising politics and reducing the role of human intuition and empathy in decision-making processes.
AI Steve’s candidacy in the UK election signals a broader global trend where AI and technology are increasingly explored for their potential to reform and redefine traditional institutions. Whether AI Steve succeeds or not, its impact on public discourse and electoral dynamics will likely influence future discussions on the intersection of technology, governance, and democratic values.
