Victor Miller's bid for mayor of Cheyenne faces hurdles as OpenAI blocks his AI assistant VIC, and state officials challenge the legitimacy of an AI-driven candidacy.

Miller's campaign, unique for its reliance on the AI chatbot VIC as the decision-maker, hit a significant roadblock when OpenAI terminated access due to policy violations on political use. Compounding his difficulties, state officials argue that an AI is not eligible to hold public office, sparking a legal and ethical debate over the evolving role of AI in governance. The controversy over Miller's campaign, which he claims serves as a 'humble meat avatar' for the AI, underscores broader concerns about AI in political decision-making and its place in democratic processes.

OpenAI's decision to cut off Miller's access to VIC stems from its strict policies prohibiting the use of its technology for political campaigning or lobbying. These policies aim to prevent the potential misuse of AI in influencing voters and circumventing traditional political processes. Miller's campaign faced further complications when he was denied access to city records, as his requests were made anonymously, preventing proper verification of his identity and raising concerns about transparency.

State officials, including Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, have further questioned the legitimacy of an AI-driven campaign. Chuck Gray has publicly stated that an AI bot does not qualify as an elector, thereby disqualifying it from running for office. Gray's stance has found support from various quarters, including academic experts. Jen Golbeck, a professor at the College of Information Sciences at the University of Maryland, argues that AI should never make automated decisions in government, citing potential risks to democratic integrity and accountability.

Despite Gray's objections, Cheyenne City Clerk Kristina Jones has disagreed with his assessment, suggesting that Miller's candidacy remains legitimate. This difference in opinions has led to a complex legal situation, with the Laramie County Attorney’s Office actively investigating the legitimacy of Miller's AI-driven campaign.

David Karpf, a professor at George Washington University, casts a skeptical eye on AI candidacies, characterizing them as 'gimmicks' that should not be taken seriously. He argues that such campaigns trivialize political processes and distract from substantive issues that require human insight and judgment.

The debate over AI in politics isn't confined to Wyoming. OpenAI also took steps against Steve Endacott, a candidate in the UK who used AI models in his campaign for Parliament. Additionally, another AI-driven candidate named AI Steve has entered the race for the United Kingdom's general election. These instances reflect growing global interest—and contention—around the integration of AI in political spheres.

Miller's campaign had planned to facilitate voter interaction with VIC using a microphone and voice-to-text feature at a local library. This initiative aimed to give voters a direct line of communication with the AI. However, these plans have been met with criticism, as opponents argue that AI cannot adequately understand and address the nuanced needs and concerns of human constituents. Furthermore, OpenAI shut down Miller's access to the tool, making the implementation of these plans infeasible.

At the core of this debate lies the question of whether AI can—and should—play a role in governance. While some envision a future where AI could streamline decision-making and improve efficiency, others warn of potential pitfalls, including lack of accountability, ethical concerns, and the erosion of human-centric values in political leadership.

Victor Miller’s campaign has inadvertently placed these questions at the forefront of public discourse. By positioning himself as the 'humble meat avatar' for VIC, Miller highlights the extent to which AI could potentially influence not just administrative tasks, but also broader policy decisions. Yet, this vision remains highly contested and fraught with legal and ethical challenges.

The ongoing investigation by the Laramie County Attorney’s Office will likely play a crucial role in determining the future course of Miller's campaign. Regardless of the outcome, the controversy has already served to ignite a vital discussion on the boundaries and implications of integrating artificial intelligence into democratic processes.

As AI continues to develop and permeate various sectors, its potential applications in governance will undoubtedly remain a topic of significant interest and debate. For now, Miller's mayoral bid in Cheyenne stands as a provocative case study, illustrating both the promise and the peril of AI-driven political ambition.