In a unique turn of events, Bentley Hensel, an independent candidate running for Congress in Virginia’s 8th District, utilized an AI-powered chatbot, named “DonBot,” to take the place of his opponent, Don Beyer, in a debate. The move highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in the political landscape.
On October 17, Hensel participated in the debate alongside another independent candidate, David Kennedy, while “DonBot” represented Beyer, who had declined the invitation to appear.
AI and Politics Meet
Hensel, a software engineer by profession, turned to AI after Beyer chose not to engage in a public debate. The chatbot was designed to reflect Beyer’s policy positions by being trained on data sourced from Beyer’s public statements, press releases, and campaign materials.
Initially developed using OpenAI technology, “DonBot” was later moved to open-source platforms via Cloudflare Workers after Hensel’s OpenAI account was banned for political usage. Hensel mentioned future plans to create bots for figures like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, allowing the public to ask questions and hear their policy positions through AI.
Summary Review: In a Virginia congressional debate, Bentley Hensel used an AI–powered bot called “DonBot” to stand in for absent opponent Don Beyer. The bot was trained to simulate Beyer’s policy positions, showcasing how AI is being used in modern politics. Hensel plans to expand the idea by creating similar AI–powered debates featuring well–known political figures.
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