Wyoming Mayoral Race Takes Unprecedented Turn with AI Candidate

Victor Miller, creator of "VIC," the AI mayoral candidate for Cheyenne, Wyoming, shares his thoughts on the potential impact of artificial intelligence in the political arena following OpenAI's closure of his account.

Victor Miller, a resident of Laramie County, Wyoming, has made history as the creator of "VIC," an artificial intelligence mayoral candidate for the state capital of Cheyenne. This unprecedented move has sparked both intrigue and debate, highlighting the potential and challenges of AI's involvement in governance.

Miller, who works at a local library, filed for candidacy with his AI creation, believing that AI's analytical capabilities and lack of human bias could bring transparency and accountability to the political process. However, just before an interview with Fox News Digital, OpenAI announced the closure of Miller's account, raising concerns about the role of closed-source AI in public life.

Wyoming Mayoral Race Takes Unprecedented Turn with AI Candidate

"The iteration of 'VIC' that was is no longer," said Miller, expressing his disappointment but remaining hopeful for the future of AI in politics. He emphasized the need for open access to AI technology to ensure its equitable use and prevent its monopolization by a privileged few.

Miller's initial reluctance to run for office vanished when his experiences with government convinced him that something had to be done to improve transparency and responsiveness. He sees AI as a potential tool for achieving these goals, allowing bots like "VIC" to analyze laws and regulations without human error or partisan bias.

Wyoming Mayoral Race Takes Unprecedented Turn with AI Candidate

Miller also drew parallels with the early days of the internet, highlighting the need for advocates for free and equal access to AI technology. He believes that limiting access to AI will stifle innovation and prevent its beneficial use in various fields, including governance.

Speaking about similar AI-powered political campaigns in England, Miller expressed his support and belief that AI's potential for scaling and replacing politicians should not be underestimated. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the problems within the political system, suggesting that AI could play a role in bringing about positive change.

Wyoming Mayoral Race Takes Unprecedented Turn with AI Candidate

In a statement, OpenAI spokesperson Liz Bougeois explained the account closure as a violation of their policies against political campaigning. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray also commented on the situation, clarifying that Wyoming law requires candidates to be real people and that an AI bot would not qualify as a "qualified elector."

Despite these setbacks, Miller remains optimistic about the future of AI in governance. He believes that OpenAI's decision has inadvertently thrust him into a crucial debate about open-source AI and its potential for transformative change. He has appealed to leaders in the AI space, including Elon Musk, for support in developing an open-source AI model to ensure equal access and prevent the stifling of innovation.

Wyoming Mayoral Race Takes Unprecedented Turn with AI Candidate