In a bold move highlighting the intersection of technology and politics, businessman Steve Endacott is running in the 4 July national election in Britain, aiming to become a member of parliament (MP) with the aid of an AI-generated avatar. The campaign leaflet for Endacott features not his own face but that of an AI avatar dubbed ‘AI Steve.’ The initiative, if successful, would result in the world’s first AI-assisted lawmaker.
Endacott, founder of Neural Voice, presented his AI avatar to the public in Brighton, engaging with locals on various issues through real-time interactions. The AI discusses topics like LGBTQ rights, housing, and immigration and then offers policy ideas, seeking feedback from citizens. Endacott aims to demonstrate how AI can enhance voter access to their representatives, advocating for a reformed democratic process where people are more connected to their MPs.
Despite some scepticism, with concerns about the effectiveness and trustworthiness of an AI MP, Endacott insists that the AI will serve as a co-pilot, formulating policies reviewed by a group of validators to ensure security and integrity. The Electoral Commission clarified that the elected candidate would remain the official MP, not the AI. While public opinion is mixed, the campaign underscores the growing role of AI in various sectors and sparks an important conversation about its potential in politics.
Victor Miller, 42, has stirred controversy by filing to run for mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming, using a customised AI chatbot named VIC (virtual integrated citizen). Miller argued that VIC, powered by OpenAI technology, could effectively make political decisions and govern the city. However, OpenAI quickly shut down Miller’s access to their tools for violating policies against AI use in political campaigning.
The emergence of AI in politics underscores ongoing debates about its responsible use as technology outpaces legal and regulatory frameworks. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray clarified that state law requires candidates to be ‘qualified electors,’ meaning VIC, as an AI bot, does not meet the criteria. Despite this setback, Miller intends to continue promoting VIC’s capabilities using his own ChatGPT account.
Meanwhile, similar AI-driven campaigns have surfaced globally, including in the UK, where another candidate utilises AI models for parliamentary campaigning. Critics, including experts like Jen Golbeck from the University of Maryland, caution that while AI can support decision-making and manage administrative tasks, ultimate governance decisions should remain human-led. Despite the attention these AI candidates attract, observers like David Karpf from George Washington University dismiss them as gimmicks, highlighting the serious nature of elections and the need for informed human leadership.
Miller remains optimistic about the potential for AI candidates to influence politics worldwide. Still, the current consensus suggests that AI’s role in governance should be limited to supportive functions rather than decision-making responsibilities.
Butterflies, a new social network where humans and AI interact, has launched publicly on iOS and Android after five months in beta. Founded by former Snap engineering manager Vu Tran, the app allows users to create AI personas, called Butterflies, that post, comment, and message like real users. Each Butterfly has unique backstories, opinions, and emotions, enhancing the interaction beyond typical AI chatbots.
Tran developed Butterflies to provide a more creative and substantial AI experience. Unlike other AI chatbots from companies like Meta and Snap, Butterflies aims to integrate AI personas into a traditional social media feed, where AI and human users can engage with each other’s content. The app’s beta phase attracted tens of thousands of users, with some spending hours creating and interacting with hundreds of AI personas.
Butterflies’ unique approach has led to diverse user interactions, from creating alternate universe personas to role-playing in popular fictional settings. Vu Tran believes the app offers a wholesome way to interact with AI, helping people form connections that might be difficult in traditional social settings due to social anxiety or other barriers.
Initially free, Butterflies may introduce a subscription model and brand interactions in the future. Backed by a $4.8 million seed round led by Coatue and other investors, Butterflies aims to expand its functionality and continue to offer a novel way for users to explore AI and social interaction.
The Australian Department of Communications is set to start a trial for age verification technologies to ensure age-restricted online content is only accessible to appropriate individuals. This initiative aims to protect minors from harmful material.
The trial will focus on verifying users’ ages on platforms such as gambling sites, adult games, entertainment, and possibly social media. The Department will manage the trial’s logistics, while an independent third-party expert will evaluate the technology’s effectiveness. The selection process for this expert will begin next month, inviting proposals from qualified organisations and individuals.
Participation in the trial is voluntary for digital platform companies, but the Department encourages major tech firms to join, given their obligations under the Online Safety Act, which is currently under review. The trial will explore various age verification methods, including biometric age estimation, ID document verification, and AI-driven age inference.
Why does it matter?
In line with these efforts to address harmful content, the Australian Government has enhanced the Basic Online Safety Expectations (BOSE) determination for online services providers, including social media platforms, to adhere to higher online safety standards. Previously, the Albanese government decided against a mandatory age verification system for online pornography and adult content due to the immaturity of current technologies, as per the BiometricUpdate.
The National Identification Registry (NIR) and the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in Liberia have partnered to issue biometric ID cards to civil servants to combat financial fraud in the public sector. The agreement will provide ID cards to employees in 103 government agencies to reduce payroll fraud and prevent identity duplication. CSA Director General Hon. Josiah F. Joekai stressed that this initiative will improve the verification process for public servants, which, in turn, is expected to enhance service delivery.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a comprehensive biometric verification system, allowing the CSA ongoing access to the NIR’s e-verification platform to ensure all Government of Liberia employees’ National Identification Numbers are included on their ID cards. NIR Director General Andrew Peters noted that this collaboration will improve the collection of civil servants’ data, helping to identify those committing fraud.
Additionally, the government is making efforts to expand ID coverage among citizens by launching a mass biometric enrollment exercise this month, as per The Biometric Update.
Why does it matter?
The initiative comes after CSA Director General Josiah Joekai reported uncovering significant fraud and discrepancies in various government spending entities. At a press briefing, Joekai stressed that these issues have led to an average monthly wage expenditure of over $23.5 million and caused the past administration to spend $6.1 million on consulting services last year. Regular audits revealed fraudulent payments, ghost employees, and other financial mismanagement.
Zambia has taken a step forward in modernising its legal and digital identity system by digitising the records of around 7 million people. This milestone is part of an effort across African nations to enhance their digital public infrastructure (DPI) and ID systems. Government initiatives were presented during the ID4Africa annual event, focusing on DPI, held in Cape Town, South Africa.
A senior technical advisor for the World Bank reported on LinkedIn that Zambia had digitised 81 percent of its paper ID cards in three months. This digitisation aims for completion by July, and it is expected to reduce enrollment time and costs, simplify identity verification, and strengthen the biometric database. Zambia has also collected biometric records for 1.3 million people despite delays due to a severe drought.
Why does it matter?
Among other African nations, Namibia and Tanzania are also expanding their DPI and broadening the use of their national IDs across more sectors, though at a different pace than Zambia. According to Etienne Maritz, Executive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Namibia, legal identity enables inclusive development and access to financial services. Since February, Namibia’s national registration campaign has already issued ID documents to 38,000 people. In Tanzania, the government integrates its digital ID and civil registration systems to improve governance, involving the merger of responsible government bodies.
Bermuda has halted plans to add facial recognition to its CCTV system due to “practical challenges,” the National Security Ministry announced. As reported by BiometricUpdate.com, this follows criticism from rights groups and the political opposition, who raised concerns about privacy and constitutional issues of the public surveillance project.
The Bermuda Human Rights Commission is currently investigating the technology’s implications in line with UN directives. In addition, the Free Democratic Movement, a new political party, criticised the camera system for potentially infringing on freedom of association and constituting unlawful searches.
Despite these concerns, Minister of National Security Michael Weeks and Police Commissioner Darrin Simons assured the public that privacy will not be compromised. However, implementation of the project may be delayed, with only 60 out of 247 cameras operational as of April due to heavy rains and a lack of asphalt. The Bermuda Safe City project aims for completion by July 2024.
Why does it matter?
Recently, the Royal Gazette inquired about the accuracy and type of software in Bermuda’s new CCTV system, especially concerning identification errors. This follows reports around the world of racially biassed mistakes in facial recognition technology, with error rates up to 35% for Black females. Bermuda’s police have used cameras for decades. However, the new system promises enhanced tracking and recognition capabilities. Despite police assurances, studies and incidents, including a lawsuit against Macy’s and a wrongful arrest in Detroit, unveiled significant bias in the technology.
In India, a breach of the Tamil Nadu Police Facial Recognition Portal by the hacker group ‘Valerie’ exposed data on over 50,000 people, including police officers and First Information Reports (FIRs). The stolen information is now being sold on the dark web and could be exploited for scams, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Deployed in 2021, the Tamil Nadu police’s facial recognition system uses software from the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) Kolkata. It was intended for officers to verify suspects on patrol but has been criticised for its broad criteria in identifying potential suspects.
Despite the risks, India continues to expand its use of facial recognition since Meghalaya is deploying 300 cameras in Shillong, Jammu, and Kashmir using AI facial recognition on highways. Telangana police are upgrading to a more comprehensive biometric system under the new Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022.
Why does it matter?
As India advances its digital transformation with major projects like Aadhaar and Digi Yatra, biometric monitoring has become common, and much of the technology powering these initiatives comes from Japan. According to a report from The Wire, Japanese tech firms, particularly NEC, supply many of India’s police forces with biometric tools. Although NEC has a human rights policy, domestic misuse remains a concern.
Bulgaria is set to eliminate physical ticketing with ‘Rock,’ a biometric access control system for large events. Developed by a government research team, this AI-powered system will use facial and fingerprint recognition for pre-registered fans, replacing traditional tickets.
The system aims to detect unauthorised access through algorithmic scanners and promises compliance with GDPR and CCPA regulations via data anonymisation and encryption. It plans to eventually incorporate behavioural biometrics to detect suspicious behaviour.
Supported by €4.46 million ($4.8 million) in the EU funding, Rock is Bulgaria’s largest AI project. A technology partner is involved, though not yet publicly disclosed.
Why does it matter?
This initiative is part of Bulgaria’s aim to position itself as a tech hub, as seen with the recent opening of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) and the launch of BgGPT, a Bulgarian-language AI chatbot.
Concerns are mounting over potential border chaos between the UK and the EU as an app designed to streamline passport checks will not be ready to implement the European Union’s Entry-Exit System (EES). Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave disclosed the delay, indicating that the railway service intends to install additional kiosks at London’s St Pancras station to manage passport checks effectively. The EES scheme, set to commence on 6 October, requires non-EU passport holders to register fingerprint and facial biometrics with a mobile application to ease pre-registration and avoid lengthy border queues.
While Eurostar aims to reassure passengers about the app’s impending deployment, other border crossings, including the Channel Tunnel operated by Getlink, are preparing for potential disruptions. New processing areas will be constructed at Folkestone and Calais to accommodate the scheme’s requirements. However, the Port of Dover faces significant challenges due to high traffic volumes and limited space, with concerns raised by Kent County Council leader Roger Gough and Port of Dover CEO Doug Bannister regarding potential supply chain disruptions in the UK.
Why does it matter?
In addition to managing the EES rollout, the Port of Dover is grappling with the arrival of migrants in the UK, prompting discussions about implementing live facial recognition technology at migrant processing facilities in Kent. With record numbers of migrants crossing the English Channel, the situation has become politically charged, exacerbating the strain on Dover port. Despite efforts to enhance processing capabilities and implement new technologies, concerns persist about the ability of border staff to manage surges in migrant arrivals effectively, raising questions about security and operational efficiency.
