Steve Endacott, chairman of AI company Neural Voice, is running for a seat in the UK Parliament, and his campaign is being led by an AI avatar called “AI Steve,” an unusual strategy that has intrigued and worried people alike.
Endacott, who will appear on the ballot alongside human candidates in the Brighton Pavilion constituency, describes himself as a “real politician making his way into Parliament” but “piloted by an AI called Steve”.
AI Steve: The Data-Driven Politician at Your Fingertips
At the heart of this unconventional campaign is the idea of using AI to create politicians who are constantly accessible to voters, listen to their concerns, and incorporate their opinions into policy decisions.
Powered by Neural Voice’s sophisticated language models and Endacott’s database of party policies, AI Steve allows voters to interact directly with candidates through the website. People can ask AI Steve questions and share their opinions on Endacott’s platform. The AI avatar responds with voice and text, providing informed answers based on its knowledge base.
Importantly, if AI Steve encounters a question on a topic for which Endacott doesn’t yet have a policy, the AI will prompt it to conduct research, discuss further with voters, and even propose policies. This dynamic interaction aims to create a continuous feedback loop between candidates and voters.
From failed conservatives to tech-driven independents
Endacott’s last foray into politics was as a Conservative candidate in the 2022 local elections, but was unsuccessful. This time, however, his innovative approach has generated a lot of buzz. News of the launch of AI Steve sparked online discussion and more than 1,000 calls were made to the AI candidate overnight.
When asked about its stance on Brexit, a key issue in British politics, AI Steve responded, “As a democracy, the UK has voted to leave. Regardless of my personal views on the issue, it is my responsibility to implement and optimize this decision.” The AI further added, “Do you have any ideas on how Brexit should be managed going forward?”, demonstrating its ability to engage with voters and gather their opinions.
A glimpse into the future of politics?
It remains to be seen whether AI Steve’s campaign will be successful, but this bold experiment certainly raises important questions about the role of AI in politics, the future of voter engagement, and the very definition of what it means to be represented in a democracy.
