Say Hello to SAM, the World’s First ‘Virtual Politician’

Meet ‘SAM’ - the world’s first artificial intelligence political candidate.

In an attempt to create a representative that listens to people and responds to their questions with facts and policy positions, the first-ever Facebook Messenger chatbot named "SAM" has been introduced in New Zealand as a potential political candidate for future elections (Black Mirror anyone?).

“Currently, ‘SAM’ doesn't hold any office – nor could it likely legally run for one, under current laws – and her conversations are still very limited. But she's an experiment to create a representative that listens to people and responds to their questions with facts," Engadget reported on Saturday.

"Currently, you can ask her about a number of New Zealand's issues from a pre-selected list of topics, though SAM's capability will theoretically grow as she ingests more public opinion," the report added.

The AI politician is constantly learning to respond to people through Facebook Messenger, as well as a survey on its homepage.

Nick Gerritsen, who created the AI chatbot unveiled last week, hopes the bot may be able to run in New Zealand's 2020 general election, when she's more advanced.

Meanwhile, the website politiciansam.nz describes the chatbot as the the world's first "Virtual Politician", driven by the desire to close the gap between what voters want and what politicians promise, and what they actually achieve.

There seems to be so much existing bias that countries around the world, and are unable to address fundamental and multiple complex issues like climate change and equality.  

Nick Gerritsen, Entrepreneur

By late 2020, when New Zealand has its next general election, Gerritsen believes ‘SAM’ will be advanced enough to run as a candidate.

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