The municipal elections in Cheyenne, Wyoming, have attracted attention not only from local residents but also from around the world due to an unexpected candidate: an artificial intelligence. VIC, a chatbot based on AI technology, has been proposed as a candidate for mayor by its creator, Victor Miller. This event raises important questions about the future of politics and the potential influence of AI in government decision-making.
What is VIC?
VIC, short for "Virtual Integrated Citizen," is a customized chatbot that uses ChatGPT technology to interact and make decisions. Victor Miller, the engineer behind VIC, designed this chatbot to demonstrate that AI could be an effective leader, capable of making decisions based on solid, objective data, free from human biases. According to Miller, VIC has an estimated IQ of 155, which he believes makes it a formidable candidate to lead Cheyenne.
The concept of an AI leader is not entirely new, but VIC's candidacy represents one of the first serious attempts to integrate artificial intelligence into the political process of a city. Miller plans to use VIC to gather and analyze data from various sources, including citizen opinions and expert advice. This information would be used by the chatbot to make informed decisions on municipal issues. In this hybrid model, Miller would act as VIC's human facilitator, providing the necessary data for the AI to generate policies and respond to community needs.
Despite the promises of efficiency and objectivity, VIC's candidacy has been met with skepticism and criticism. Some political rivals and officials have questioned the viability and legality of an AI running for public office. Chuck Gray, the Secretary of State of Wyoming, even launched an investigation to determine whether a chatbot's candidacy is valid. Although some government members opposed disqualifying VIC, the controversy highlights the challenges of accepting AI in traditionally human roles.
OpenAI, the company that developed ChatGPT, also intervened, canceling Miller's account at one point, believing that VIC's candidacy had been rejected. However, Miller persisted, creating a new account and re-registering VIC under his own name. While VIC's candidacy has sparked considerable debate, AI technology continues to advance, and interest in its potential application in politics continues to grow.
Future Implications
VIC's entry into the race for mayor of Cheyenne is more than just an experiment; it is a sign of how AI technology could shape the future of governance. While VIC may not be elected, its candidacy raises important questions about AI's ability to lead and make complex decisions. In a world where artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into all aspects of life, politics could be the next big arena where these technologies demonstrate their potential.
