AI lawmaker to hit election stands

When voters go to the polls in one English town next month they will get the chance to elect the world's first AI lawmaker.

Businessman Steve Endacott will stand to become a member of parliament at Britain's July 4 national election - except unlike the others, the face on his campaign leaflet will be an AI-generated avatar.

"We're going to be recruiting more AI candidates across the country after this election, and we see this as the launch, building block for something big and something democratic," he said.

"AI Steve" - the name that will appear on ballot papers - engages real-time with locals on topics ranging from LGBTQ rights and housing to bin collection and immigration. It then puts forward policy ideas before asking for their suggestions.

Although, the Electoral Commission said if he wins, Endacott would be a member of parliament, not any AI version of him. "AI and politicians have the one thing in common," a local resident, Andy Clawson, 42, said.

"They can't be trusted."