The upcoming UK general election will see a unique candidate on the ballot: ‘AI Steve‘. Created by businessman Steve Endacott, AI Steve aims to represent voters in the Brighton and Hove area. Endacott, president of Neural Voice, emphasizes that while he is the human candidate, AI Steve will act as his “co-pilot”.
Neural Voice specializes in creating personalized voice assistants. AI Steve is one of seven characters developed by the company to showcase its technology. Endacott envisions AI Steve as a new way for politicians to engage with voters. “Using AI allows me to respond to thousands of voters daily without the need for traditional door-to-door campaigning,” he explained.
AI Steve provides voters with voice and text responses based on a comprehensive database of Endacott’s policies. If an issue lacks an existing policy, the AI conducts internet research before engaging with voters. This approach aims to address voters’ concerns more efficiently and effectively.
If elected, Endacott will physically attend Parliament, but his voting decisions will be directed entirely by AI Steve. The AI will answer constituents’ concerns using a rendition of Endacott’s actual voice and an avatar. This approach challenges the status quo, emphasizing responsiveness to constituents’ desires.
Endacott’s vision aligns with the essence of democracy: putting constituents’ needs first. AI Steve represents a radical departure from the old boys’ and girls’ club mentality, where disconnected MPs often prioritize personal politics over constituents’ interests.
Endacott’s party, Smarter UK, missed registration for the snap election due to an Electoral Commission technical error. Consequently, he will run as an Independent on July 4. However, he hopes to attract more AI Bots to join his party in the future.
AI Steve: The World’s First AI Lawmaker
Endacott’s motivation extends beyond politics. Concerned about climate change, he aims to give back practically. As a Tesla owner, he founded a business to promote electric cars, emphasizing environmental responsibility.
The UK has a history of embracing unconventional candidates, with figures like Lord Buckethead and Count Binface participating in elections. Endacott’s previous attempt at local elections yielded modest results, but AI Steve has already sparked significant interest.
If successful, AI Steve would be the first AI legislator, a concept that, while novel, could redefine political engagement. Endacott stresses that his campaign is serious, aiming to use AI as a means to continuously connect with voters, rather than limiting engagement to election cycles.
This election could be a turning point, potentially transforming how we view political representation and engagement. The success of AI Steve might pave the way for more AI-driven candidates in the future.
