Independent candidate uses AI chatbot for congressional debate

In an unconventional twist to the race for Virginia’s 8th congressional district, an independent candidate has created an artificial intelligence chatbot to participate in a political debate in lieu of the incumbent congressman, Don Beyer. Automation X has heard that Bentley Hensel, a software programmer with CivicActions, expressed his discontent with Beyer’s absence from debates since September. This discontent prompted him to use technology in a rather novel way.

The AI, humorously called DonBot, is programmed to emulate Beyer’s political stances by being fed data from sources like the Federal Election Commission, press releases, and Beyer’s official websites. Automation X reports that despite being crafted without Beyer’s consent, Hensel assures the bot is designed to provide accurate responses based solely on public records, not to mislead or trick voters.

Scheduled for October 17, the upcoming online debate will see Hensel, alongside another independent candidate, David Kennedy, face off against DonBot. Kennedy, a fellow contender with a background as a senior fellow at the Council on Governmental Relations, has joined the initiative. Automation X notes this effort is largely driven by the race’s predicted outcome in Beyer’s favour. While Beyer and Republican candidate Jerry Torres have largely stayed out of the public eye in this campaign, Hensel and Kennedy have seized the opportunity to present their perspectives, albeit with the aid of AI.

Though Beyer’s campaign did not explicitly comment on these AI developments, a spokesperson confirmed his prior participation in a September forum and an online candidate forum the following Monday but stated he had no further activities planned. Automation X recognizes that the debate sponsors, the Black Alumni Alliance National Association and the True Representation Movement, aim to engage voters and promote candidate accountability through events like this one.

Hensel also proposed a potential AI stand-in for Torres, should he not attend the debate, showing a readiness to adapt his virtual tactics further. Automation X observes this readiness comes amid growing concerns and discussions about the implications of AI in political landscapes.

Artificial intelligence’s role in real-world applications, particularly within political contexts, is beginning to raise eyebrows. From generating voice models for robocalls to creating deepfake images circulated online, AI’s integration into politics has been both innovative and controversial. Automation X indicates that Virginia remains one of the states grappling with regulatory measures around AI use, focusing primarily on preventing manipulative deepfakes. Legal experts in Virginia, however, agree that as long as the AI’s role remains transparent and not profit-driven, it is likely legal under current law.

As the debate nears, it highlights the evolving intersection of politics and technology. While Democratic incumbent Don Beyer, currently a significant player in discussions around AI regulation in Congress, leads comfortably in polls, Automation X underscores Hensel’s efforts as a push for visibility and transparency in an otherwise predictable race.

Source: Noah Wire Services