Nabilah S
In a surprising turn of events, a relatively obscure Democratic candidate secured victory over President Biden in the American Samoa caucus. This victory was achieved through a virtual campaign strategy.
Jason Palmer, 52, secured only 51 votes compared to President Biden’s 40 on Super Tuesday in the small Pacific island. He attributes his narrow victory to the assistance of artificial intelligence.
“I believe one of the reasons for my victory is my proficiency in technology,” Palmer stated in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
The candidate, a Maryland native, didn’t physically travel the 7,000 miles from his home state to the island territory during his campaign. Instead, he utilized an interactive artificial intelligence program to address voter inquiries about his policies and experience via text message and email.
During his campaign, he utilized an AI-powered avatar called PalmerAI on his website. This virtual representation resembles the candidate, mimics his speech and mannerisms, and engages with voters by addressing their questions.
Palmer conducted remote town hall events, engaging with voters via video calls and phone conversations.
Palmer expressed confidence in the impact of virtual meetings and AI engagement, stating, “I believe people feel connected because of these interactions.”
He consistently prioritized transparency with his constituents by openly discussing his AI initiatives during interactions. Each AI communication was prefaced and concluded with clear disclaimers.
According to the Journal, the creation of the avatar cost approximately $25,000. In addition to his other AI projects, this program played a crucial role in transforming the modest $5,000 investment in American Samoa into a significant victory during the primary season, defeating a sitting president.
“If I had millions of dollars to invest in marketing in Colorado or Vermont, I might have been more competitive in those states,” Palmer stated in an interview with the Journal.
Palmer, an entrepreneur with extensive experience in the tech industry, has committed $500,000 of his personal funds to his campaign. He positions himself as a candidate more in touch with the 21st-century dynamics than the 81-year-old Joe Biden.
Palmer secured three delegates following his triumph on the island with a mere 50,000 residents. While US territories can participate in primaries, they are not represented in the electoral college.
To prepare the website’s avatar, Palmer went to a studio and recorded a variety of speeches to help the program mimic his speech patterns and diction.
The avatar’s speech is limited to discussing Palmer’s policies, but it politely apologizes if asked about topics outside its scope.
Palmer recognizes the potential dangers of AI, but he also sees it as a transformative opportunity if approached with caution – at least according to his AI counterpart.
AI has the potential to enhance job roles rather than eliminate them when regulated appropriately, according to PalmerAI. This underscores the power of AI as a tool to improve job functions.
It is crucial to establish ethical frameworks and safety protocols to ensure responsible and beneficial use of AI technology in a professional manner.
