Mark Sewards, a Labour MP in the UK, has made history by becoming the first politician to create an AI version of himself. The virtual MP, developed in collaboration with a startup AI firm, allows constituents to interact with him 24/7 and seek help with local issues or policy queries. Sewards believes this technology will strengthen the connection between his office and the community he represents.
The AI chatbot provides 24/7 support, allowing constituents to access help and information at any time. It mimics Sewards' voice and persona, providing a personalized experience, and can address questions on local issues and policy matters.
While some experts believe the AI chatbot can free up Sewards' time to focus on complex case work, others worry that constituents with emotionally charged problems may experience frustration or distress when interacting with a bot. There are also concerns that relying on AI chatbots could undermine people's confidence in their MP.
Sewards, however, is embracing the technology, believing it's essential to explore the opportunities represented by AI and understand its capabilities and limitations. He views the AI chatbot as a prototype that will be adjusted based on user feedback. As the UK's first virtual MP, Sewards' experiment will likely be closely watched, and its success or failure could have implications for the future of politics and representation.
