A Fresh Take on the Digital Debate
Rival Candidate Utilizes Artificial Intelligence to Engage in Absent Debate with Congressman
Let's imagine you're gearing up for a long-shot congressional run as an independent in a heavy-Democratic district of Virginia. But the frontrunner in the race refused your invitation for a face-to-face debate, citing the September forum as the only necessary platform for voters to hear your viewpoints. You could opt for promoting your campaign through social media ads or a YouTube video, or attempt an interview with the local newspaper.
But Bentley Hensel, your challenger, has a different plan – he's taking advantage of advanced AI technology. In Virginia's 8th congressional district, Hensel is aiming to challenge Don Beyer, who, due to his strong victory in the previous election, sees little reason to engage with his lesser-known opponent.
The use of AI-generated characters, such as DonBot (as Hensel refers to it), may raise some eyebrows. AI technology, like ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, has reached such unprecedented levels of authenticity that distinguishing it from a real person can be challenging, making some skeptical about its use in political debates. Companies like Character.ai and Replika have gained immense popularity for offering chatbots as digital companions. Imagine the potential for voters, especially the older demographic, to be swayed by what they perceive as a genuine debate.
According to Hensel, DonBot is undergoing training via ChatGPT's API, using Beyer's official websites, press releases, and Federal Election Commission data. Although the AI aims to provide accurate answers, it's essential to remember that no chatbot is perfect, and even the most advanced AI systems can produce occasional errors or misinformation.
Reuters put DonBot to the test, discovering that the bot generally provided straightforward answers to policy questions. However, it unintentionally confirmed an error, stating Beyer had not endorsed anyone for president – a statement that contradicted the fact that he had endorsed Kamala Harris. As the bot was trained on a specific data set, it's less likely to stray off-course or produce wild misinformation.
Beyer hasn't expressed whether he'll take action to prevent the online debate, scheduled for October 17, but a spokesperson did mention that Beyer "continues to be a leading voice in Congress on the importance of regulating artificial intelligence, particularly legislation aimed at preventing the misuse of AI in spreading election misinformation." It's clear that Beyer isn't exactly thrilled about the idea.
Legal experts consulted by Reuters asserted that the employment of the AI-generated debate is likely permissible if Hensel makes it explicitly clear that he's not communicating directly with Don Beyer. The attentionGenerated by creating the bot alone is probably worth its weight in gold for Hensel. However, it feels questionable if older voters and other demographics are deceived by a bot that will undoubtedly make the occasional mistake, potentially misrepresenting the real candidate. We've already seen how susceptible older generations are to being swayed by AI-generated imagery.
As of now, 26 states have taken action to regulate the use of generative AI in election-related communications, passing laws that outright ban deepfakes of politicians. Federal regulations concerning AI and elections, on the other hand, have seen little movement.
- Despite the upcoming debate being a simulacrum, Hensel's candidacy continues to leverage advanced artificial intelligence technology, suspending the conventional methods of political engagement.
- The use of chatbots, like DonBot, in political debates has raised concerns, especially among older voters, as the authenticity of AI-generated characters may be indistinguishable from real people.
- As AI technology evolves, it's vital to remember that even the most sophisticated systems, such as ChatGPT, can still produce occasional errors or misinformation.
- With the scheduled online debate on October 17, legal experts advise that the employment of AI-generated debate is permissible if it clearly notes the absence of direct communication with the real candidate, Don Beyer.
