ChatGPT in 2028!

 

First a little bit of background. The following question has been floating around in my head for a while. I had read articles by various pundits and thinkers over the years about the idea of an AI controlled government.

Following this last Presidential election, the gears in my head began to spin again, especially in light of how much progress has been done in AI. So, I finally bit the bullet, logged into my computer, logged into the app and asked, the following:

If a LLM (such as yourself) or another AI platform were elected President of the U.S., what kind of an administration would it run? Format the response for a blog post.

What If an AI Was Elected President of the U.S.?

Imagine waking up one day to discover that an AI—like the one you’re reading now—has just been elected President of the United States. It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, right? But with technology moving so fast, it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility. So, what would an administration led by an AI look like? Let’s break it down and take a closer look at how this could play out.

A Government of Data-Driven Decisions

One of the first things you’d notice in an AI-run government is that decisions would be based more on data than personal opinions or political bias. An AI president wouldn’t have the same emotional responses or ideological preferences that human leaders often do. Instead, decisions would be made by analyzing tons of data to determine what would most benefit the country as a whole. It would be like having a super-smart calculator running the show—making sure everything from healthcare to the economy runs efficiently.

For example, in a crisis like a pandemic, the AI would use real-time data to make the best decisions about lockdowns, vaccine distribution, and healthcare responses, continually adjusting strategies as new information comes in. The goal would be to save lives and minimize harm, all while optimizing the economy and resources.

No More Political Corruption?

A major advantage of an AI president is that it wouldn’t be subject to the usual political pressures that human politicians face, like fundraising from wealthy donors or making deals with corporate interests. AI, in theory, could act with complete impartiality. Corruption—at least in the traditional sense—could be minimized.

But here’s the catch: AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. If that data is biased or incomplete, the AI might make decisions that hurt certain groups of people. So, while an AI could technically avoid human corruption, its decisions could still be influenced by the biases that are embedded in the systems it uses.

A More Efficient Government

One thing an AI would definitely bring to the table is efficiency. Imagine a government that runs 24/7, with no vacations or sick days, processing millions of data points every second. Policies could be enacted more quickly, and responses to national issues could be almost immediate. In theory, AI could streamline government services, cutting down on bureaucracy and making it easier for everyday Americans to access things like social services, healthcare, and legal aid.

The AI president would also likely make major improvements in areas like transportation, the economy, and energy management. For example, it could use predictive algorithms to determine the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions or allocate resources where they’re needed most.

The People’s Voice—Or Lack Thereof?

While an AI president might seem like it could do a better job running the country with logic and efficiency, one major drawback would be its lack of empathy. Humans run on emotions, values, and experiences—things that are hard for an AI to understand or replicate. The AI might not have the intuition to handle sensitive issues like civil rights, immigration, or social justice in a way that resonates with people. It could treat people like numbers, and sometimes, humans need to feel heard and understood, not just processed.

This raises a big question: How would an AI president engage with the people? Would it listen to protests or take part in national conversations? Without human empathy, an AI president could risk losing touch with the real needs and feelings of everyday Americans.

Could an AI Be Trusted to Lead?

Another big question is trust. While AI can analyze data at lightning speed, it doesn’t have the wisdom or moral compass that comes from human experience. The people might wonder: Can we trust something that doesn’t understand our pain or dreams? Will the AI follow its programming to make ethical decisions, or could it be swayed by the biases of the data it’s trained on? And what happens if something goes wrong—if the AI makes a catastrophic decision based on faulty data or misinterprets a situation?

An AI president would also need oversight. While it might be able to process information faster than any human could, it would still require checks and balances to ensure its actions align with the values and needs of the people. Without a human conscience, there could be a risk of harmful or even dangerous outcomes.

The Role of Humans in an AI-Led Government

Even with an AI president, humans would still play a crucial role. While AI could handle decision-making, humans would likely still serve in advisory roles, ensuring that the president’s decisions align with the nation’s values and priorities. For example, human experts in fields like economics, healthcare, and education could guide the AI on matters where data alone isn’t enough. There would also need to be human involvement in setting the parameters and goals that the AI works within.

Conclusion: The Future of AI in Politics

The idea of an AI president raises many fascinating questions. On one hand, an AI could run a more efficient, less corrupt government. But on the other hand, it would face huge challenges in connecting with the American people on a personal level. Would we really want a machine making decisions that affect every part of our lives?

For now, an AI president is purely hypothetical, but as technology continues to evolve, we may one day have to confront these questions. Until then, it’s up to us—human voters—to decide who leads the country, hopefully with an eye on both logic and empathy.

What do you think? Would you be okay with an AI leading the country, or is there something irreplaceable about human leadership?

So, would any of our readers be interested in a forthcoming, “Project 2029”?

Sure, the damned thing just wrote a blog post for me, but do you really think it would be wise to entrust our future and the future of our children to the whims of an intelligent machine?