(NewsNation) — A mayoral candidate who promised to be a human stand-in and let a customized ChatGPT bot run the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, says artificial intelligence is the future of politics.
“I think it really is something that can help democracy and help the citizens and have government be more responsive to their needs,” Victor Miller told NewsNation’s “The Hill.”
Miller finished fourth in a six-person primary race for mayor of Cheyenne, winning about 3% of the vote. His campaign pitch was that he would attend ceremonies and events, but would let the chatbot nicknamed “VIC,” for “Virtual Integrated Citizen,” make decisions, and sign or veto legislation.
Miller’s loss makes moot the idea of whether a computer program can legally assume an office intended for humans. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray wrote a letter in June outlining his “significant concerns” with VIC being a candidate.
At the time, Gray told NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” that Miller’s candidacy violates state law because AI is ineligible to hold office. Gray also said the Cheyenne town clerk who certified Miller’s candidacy to the county clerk acted improperly.
Miller said AI is a great way to overcome human failings in government.
“We have all these psychological and sociological things that hamper us from getting responsive action by our government, and a way to alleviate that is to utilize this new intelligence.”
He also predicts that AI’s constant intake of data will one day make the idea of a virtual public servant more acceptable.
“These models are as dumb as they’ll ever be. They get smarter daily. I’m always amazed by the progress and how fast it happens.”
