In a quirky twist to local politics, Victor Miller, a computer skills teacher from Cheyenne, Wyoming, is making waves by running for mayor while pledging to let a chatbot make all legislative decisions if he wins. Dubbed “VIC” (Virtual Integrated Citizen), Miller believes AI can outperform human politicians by processing vast amounts of data to make informed decisions.
However, his AI-driven campaign hasn’t been without controversy. OpenAI, the platform behind VIC, threatened to cut off access, citing terms and conditions prohibiting political campaigning. Despite this, Miller remains steadfast, arguing VIC’s ability to thoroughly analyze documents and make rational choices surpasses human capabilities.
The unconventional candidacy has sparked debate, drawing attention from Wyoming’s Secretary of State, Chuck Gray, who opposes an AI bot running for office. Nonetheless, the Cheyenne City Clerk deemed Miller’s candidacy legitimate, setting the stage for a unique electoral showdown in August.
Miller sees his campaign as a way to challenge traditional notions of governance and advocate for AI’s potential in improving decision-making processes. As the legal and public scrutiny continues, Wyoming residents await the outcome of this novel experiment blending technology and politics.
