In the American Samoa legislature, an obscure Democratic contender triumphed over President Biden primarily through online campaigning.
Jason Palmer, a 52-year-old candidate, secured 51 votes compared to President Biden’s 40 during the Super Tuesday elections in the remote Pacific region. He attributes his modest victory partly to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
“I attribute my success to my proficiency in technology,” Palmer shared with the Wall Street Journal.
Despite investing a mere $5,000 in his American Samoa campaign, the Maryland native surpassed President Biden by 11 votes. Palmer opted for an interactive AI system to address voter inquiries regarding his policies and background through text and email, avoiding the arduous 7,000-mile journey from his home state to the island territory.
Additionally, he integrated an AI-powered image named PalmerAI on his campaign website, mimicking his appearance, speech patterns, and mannerisms to engage with voters effectively.
Conducting virtual town hall meetings off-site, Palmer conducted interviews with voters via phone and video calls, fostering a sense of personal interaction with the electorate.
“I believe that through these virtual engagements and AI interactions, voters felt a genuine connection with me,” Palmer remarked.
Transparent about his use of AI, Palmer ensured that all AI communications on his behalf were prefaced and concluded with disclaimers.
PalmerAI mirrors Jason Palmer’s speech and movements, articulating responses based on the candidate’s policy stances. The development of this avatar reportedly cost around $25,000, contributing to Palmer’s success in the primary elections with a minimal campaign budget.
Reflecting on his unconventional approach, Palmer speculated, “Perhaps with substantial marketing investments in states like Colorado or Vermont, my competitiveness could have been further amplified.”
As an accomplished entrepreneur in the tech industry, Palmer injected $500,000 of personal funds into his campaign, positioning himself as a forward-looking candidate attuned to the demands of the 21st century, distinguishing himself from the 81-year-old Joe Biden.
While American Samoa and other US territories participate in primary elections, they do not play a role in the electoral college system.
Palmer clinched three delegate awards for his triumph in the sparsely populated island territory with a population of merely 50,000. Although US territories partake in primary voting, they are excluded from the electoral college.
To refine the AI avatar’s capabilities, Palmer visited a studio to recite portions of his speeches, facilitating the program in learning his speech patterns for the website avatar.
The AI program operates within the boundaries of Palmer’s directives, politely excusing itself when faced with queries beyond its scope.
Recognizing the potential risks associated with AI, Palmer envisions his AI iteration as a transformative innovation if managed cautiously.
“AI, when appropriately regulated, can serve as a potent tool,” expressed PalmerAI to The Post, emphasizing its capacity to augment rather than replace job functions.
Establishing ethical regulations and safety measures are imperative to harness the benefits of AI technology responsibly and effectively.
