In what is rather unlikely to be a coincidence, Endacott owns a business that creates AI voice assistants and avatars for businesses.
There’s a notion, summarised best by a Winston Churchill (mis)quote, that “democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others”. This idea views deliberative democracy as cumbersome, but recognises its necessity. The dream, though, would be mathematical machine-like efficiency married with discussion — in essence, the “trains will run on time” without a dictator. Now, an “AI candidate” hopes to introduce algorithmic computing power to representation, the human factor be damned.
“AI Steve” will have a representative on the ballot in Britain’s general election next month, against more conventional candidates in Sussex. Steve, in case he wins, will not sit in the House of Commons. That honour will go to Steve Endacott, who says he will be “controlled by his co-pilot (AI Steve)”. In what is rather unlikely to be a coincidence, Endacott owns a business that creates AI voice assistants and avatars for businesses. So, just in case the voters decide to go for more biological candidates, at least Endacott has some publicity for his business. According to Endacott, Steve is not limited like conventional leaders — he is freely available and can interact with several constituents simultaneously, 24/7.
The question, though, is: Who wants a representative that works that much? Is transcending humanity and its limitations really something people need? Remember, algorithms have erred — they have been racist and sexist. Perhaps, being driven by cold logic, without a conscience or human sense of discernment is not the best thing. Representative democracy has its faults — not least that those chosen can reflect the best or worst of the constituents they represent. But that’s the point, isn’t it? Asking for leaders without human flaws is asking to elect an authoritarian.
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