Victor Miller has filed to run for mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming, with an innovative yet controversial candidate: an AI chatbot named VIC, which stands for Virtual Integrated Citizen. This move has sparked debate about the role of AI in politics and its legal standing.

Miller, a Cheyenne resident, created VIC to leverage AI technology for making data-driven decisions. He envisions VIC as a tool that could improve city governance through “impartial decision-making, data-driven policies and the ability to analyze information rapidly and accurately” (VIC). Miller argues that VIC’s approach could address inefficiencies in traditional governance.

However, Wyoming law mandates that candidates for office must be registered voters and “qualified electors” (Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray). Gray has expressed skepticism about VIC’s eligibility, asserting that “an AI bot is not a qualified elector” and suggesting that VIC is essentially a placeholder for Miller’s candidacy (Gray).

OpenAI, the company behind the AI technology used for VIC, recently revoked Miller’s access to its tools due to policy violations related to political campaigning. An OpenAI spokesperson noted that using ChatGPT for “political campaigning or lobbying” is prohibited by their policies (OpenAI). Despite this, Miller has adapted by using a modified version of VIC and plans to continue the campaign.

Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee has allowed VIC’s campaign to proceed but stated that VIC will not appear on the ballot. Instead, the ballot will list Miller as the official candidate. She explained, “He needs to think about voters and what they see to mark on the ballot” (Lee). This decision underscores the challenge of integrating AI into political processes, highlighting the need for clearer legal and technological guidelines.

Experts remain cautious about the role of AI in decision-making. Jen Golbeck, a professor at the University of Maryland, emphasized that AI should assist rather than replace human judgment: “AI has always been designed for decision support – it gives some data to help a human make decisions but is not set up to make decisions by itself” (Golbeck). David Karpf of George Washington University described the AI candidacy as a “gimmick,” reflecting broader skepticism about AI’s readiness for such roles (Karpf).

Miller’s campaign for VIC has generated significant media attention, both in the U.S. and internationally, but it also raises important questions about the future of AI in politics and its interaction with current legal frameworks.

For More Info, Visit These Sites: 

• GovTech: “AI-Generated Candidate Files to Run for Office in Wyoming.” 
• Cowboy State Daily: “AI Candidate Can Run for Cheyenne Mayor, but Won’t Be on Ballot.” 
• CNN: “OpenAI Shuts Down AI Mayor.”