AI is hurting US politics. Here’s how candidates could use it for good
The technology can help candidates listen more deeply to voters, as examples from Japan and Scotland show
TL;DR
- AI is currently exacerbating negative aspects of US politics, such as deepfakes and propaganda, causing voter anxiety.
- Candidates are failing to leverage AI's potential for positive campaigning, including deeper voter listening, inclusive engagement, and responsive policy formulation.
- Japanese party Team Mirai uses an AI interviewer to collect and act on constituent input, leading to policy changes and political success.
- Scottish non-profit CrownShy is developing tools for digital town hall debates and constituent consultations using AI.
- Open-source AI tools from US institutions like Stanford's deliberation.io and MIT's Cortico offer ways to facilitate dialogue and surface community perspectives.
- The article calls for separating AI technology from profit-driven companies, advocating for accountability and responsible use in political campaigns.
- AI's impact on campaigning can be positive, fostering transparency, responsiveness, and community-driven politics.