Underdog uses AI to win against Biden in US election.

TLDR:

• Jason Palmer, a longshot Democratic candidate, credited artificial intelligence for helping him beat President Biden in the American Samoa caucus.
• Using AI programs, Palmer campaigned virtually on the tiny Pacific island and won by 11 votes.

A virtually unknown Democratic candidate, Jason Palmer, managed to beat President Biden in the American Samoa caucus by utilizing artificial intelligence in his campaign. Palmer, who did not physically travel to the island territory, employed an interactive AI program to answer voter questions about his policies and experience through text messages and emails. He also created an AI-powered avatar, PalmerAI, which resembled him and engaged with voters on his campaign website. By holding remote town hall events and utilizing AI communications, Palmer was able to interact with voters and create a sense of presence despite not physically being there.

Despite spending only $5,000 in American Samoa, Palmer’s AI initiatives, including the creation of PalmerAI, helped him secure a primary victory over a sitting president. The entrepreneur invested $500,000 of his own funds into his campaign and positioned himself as a candidate who understood the technological realities of the 21st century better than his opponent. While recognizing the potential dangers of AI, Palmer believes that when regulated appropriately, it can be a powerful tool that enhances job roles rather than eliminates them.

Palmer’s victory in American Samoa earned him three delegates, despite the fact that US territories can vote in primaries but are not represented in the electoral college. The AI avatar on his website was trained by feeding it speeches and limiting its responses to the candidate’s policies. While Palmer acknowledges the importance of establishing ethical frameworks and safety protocols for AI technology, his AI version sees the potential for responsible and beneficial use in the future.