AI Steve, the first AI politician created by British party Smarter UK, aims to restore trust in politics by proposing a new democratic process involving constituent participation in decision-making. However, the initiative raises concerns about accountability and the need for robust legal frameworks governing AI in politics.
Smarter UK, a new British political party, has introduced AI Steve, the country’s first artificial intelligence politician, in a bid to restore trust in politics. AI Steve is the avatar of Steve Endacott, the founder of Neural Voice, the company behind AI Steve’s creation. Endacott, who previously ran unsuccessfully as a Conservative candidate in Rochdale in 2022, will represent Brighton Pavilion if AI Steve wins.
AI Steve’s campaign promises to “reinvent democracy,” allowing constituents to propose and vote on decisions, which Endacott will implement in Parliament. This process hinges on majority rule, requiring over 50% approval for actions taken by Endacott.
The initiative challenges traditional political norms and raises several questions about legal, ethical, and practical implications. Concerns include AI’s capacity to embody human integrity, its potential to set unrealistic responsiveness standards, the reliability of decisions made by a slim majority, and the transparency of AI-driven choices.
Accountability is also a key issue; errors or rule-breaking by AI Steve prompt questions about whether responsibility lies with the AI creators, Endacott, or the constituents themselves. The concept’s success will heavily depend on future legal frameworks addressing AI governance in politics.
While AI Steve may increase public participation, the initiative underscores the need for proactive legal measures to protect citizen interests and political integrity.
