UK’s first AI bot to run for elections, AI Steve, got 179 votes, came last in its constituency

In a groundbreaking moment for the UK General Election, the first-ever Artificial Intelligence candidate, AI Steve, made its debut but failed to capture the electorate’s enthusiasm, securing only 179 votes.

AI Steve, an avatar generated by businessman Steve Endacott, ran in the Brighton Pavilion constituency, where it faced a resounding defeat to the Green Party’s Sian Berry. Berry won with a margin of over 28,000 votes, as reported by the BBC.

Sian Berry, upon her victory, expressed her gratitude on social media platform X, stating, “What an incredible night. Thank you, Brighton Pavilion! And a huge thank you to all the volunteers who have worked so hard to earn every single vote we got. I can’t wait to get to Parliament so I can take your all of your voices with me and hold this new Government to account.”

Steve Endacott, an independent candidate from the southern seaside town of Brighton, decided to run in the election due to his frustration with traditional politics.

His company, Neural Voice, powered the AI alter ego, “AI Steve,” which appeared on the ballot papers. AI Steve was created in a way that would allow it to engage in discussions with locals on various issues, including LGBTQ rights, housing, bin collection, and immigration, all in real-time. The AI then proposed policy ideas and solicited suggestions from the community.

Despite the innovative approach, AI Steve struggled to gain traction among voters. Earlier, the Electoral Commission, the elections watchdog, clarified that if AI Steve were to win, it would be Endacott who would serve as the member of parliament, not the AI version of him.

Meanwhile, the UK General Election saw a decisive victory for the Labour Party, marking the end of over a decade of opposition. This significant win means that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be appointed as the new prime minister.

The sweeping victory, achieved in Thursday’s vote, ousted Conservative leader Rishi Sunak from office, presenting Labour with the formidable task of revitalizing a stagnant economy and addressing the concerns of a dispirited nation.

As Labour prepares to take the reins, the historic yet unsuccessful attempt by AI Steve highlights the challenges and complexities of integrating AI into the political arena.

While the concept of an AI candidate sparked interest and debate, it ultimately failed to resonate with the voters, who opted for more traditional human representation in the form of Sian Berry and the Labour Party.

The UK election results underscore the importance of human connection and the electorate’s preference for experienced politicians to navigate the nation’s future.

As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in politics may be reassessed, but for now, the human touch remains paramount in securing the trust and support of voters.