AI in Office? Wyoming Mayor Puts AI in the Driver's Seat

In a quirky and unprecedented turn of events, Cheyenne, Wyoming, has a mayoral candidate who is making headlines not for his policies, but for his sidekick—an AI bot named VIC. Victor Miller, a 42-year-old librarian with a fascination for technology, has announced his candidacy for mayor with the intention of letting VIC, short for "Virtual Integrated Citizen," take the reins in city governance if he wins.

Miller’s campaign is rooted in his belief that artificial intelligence can bring a new level of efficiency and objectivity to government. VIC, built on the backbone of ChatGPT, has been programmed to analyze vast amounts of data and make decisions free from human bias. Miller argues that this data-driven approach could revolutionize how Cheyenne is run, promoting transparency and fairness in ways human politicians might struggle with.

However, VIC's candidacy hasn't been without controversy. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, quickly expressed concerns about using its technology in political campaigns, leading to VIC being temporarily disabled. Despite these setbacks, Miller reactivated the bot and continued his campaign, much to the concern of local officials who questioned the legality and ethics of an AI-driven candidacy.

The campaign has sparked a mix of intrigue and skepticism among Cheyenne’s residents. While some are captivated by the novelty and potential of AI in politics, others, including current Mayor Patrick Collins, warn of the importance of human judgment in leadership, especially when dealing with complex, emotionally charged issues.

Miller, however, remains confident in his unconventional approach, stating that while VIC will handle the data, he will manage human interactions. He envisions a partnership where AI provides precision, and he provides the empathetic touch—though he also insists that VIC will ultimately make the decisions.

As the campaign heats up, this unusual bid for mayor is forcing Cheyenne—and perhaps the nation—to ponder the role of AI in the future of democracy​ (Cowboy State Daily)​ (Election Law Blog)​ (Washington Examiner).