AI Chatbot To Represent Congressman In Upcoming Debate

Bentley Hensel, an independent congressional candidate in Virginia, has created an AI chatbot, DonBot, to stand in for Democratic incumbent Don Beyer in an upcoming debate, should Beyer not appear, as reported today by Reuters.

Hensel’s move, reported today by Reuters, comes after Beyer declined additional debate invitations ahead of the November election. The debate is scheduled to stream online on October 17.

The AI chatbot, DonBot, is modeled after Beyer and was created without the congressman’s permission. The bot is trained on Beyer’s public statements, campaign material, and Federal Election Commission data, using an API from OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, notes Reuters.

According to Ruters, the bot is designed to simulate Beyer’s positions on policy issues without misleading voters. Hensel insists this modern-day “empty chair” tactic is necessary for transparency and to give voters access to Beyer’s stances, even if the congressman himself doesn’t show up.

The debate will feature Hensel, another independent candidate David Kennedy, against DonBot. Republican candidate Jerry Torres, who is also running for the seat, has not confirmed his participation. Should Torres not attend, Hensel has indicated he will create an AI version of him as well, according to Reuters.

A spokeswoman for Beyer confirmed that the congressman participated in a candidate forum in September but has no plans to attend the upcoming debate. She noted that Beyer has been a strong advocate for regulating AI, including preventing the technology from being used to spread election misinformation, noted Reuters.

Legal experts consulted by Reuters suggest that Beyer would have limited legal options to prevent the debate, as long as the AI likeness is not used for commercial purposes or to deceive voters, reported REuters.

Despite Beyer’s significant lead in the race, Hensel says the use of AI in the debate is a final effort to gain visibility and push for greater openness in the electoral process, noted Reuters.

The debate aims to attract attention in what’s otherwise considered a predictable race, given Beyer’s dominant position in the polls. Hensel and Kennedy acknowledge the unconventional move is both a publicity effort and an experiment in transparency.

Ultimately, this debate presents a case study in the evolving nature of political communication, as candidates navigate the challenges posed by technology and public expectations.

Hensel’s initiative could reshape how future campaigns approach debates and voter engagement, highlighting the potential for AI to either enhance transparency or introduce new complexities into the electoral process.