## AI Candidate Curveball in Wyoming Mayoral Race: OpenAI Shuts Down Candidate's Account
### Wyoming man Victor Miller, who filed mayoral candidacy as AI bot "VIC," speaks out after OpenAI shuts down his account.
AI Candidate Curveball in Wyoming Mayoral Race: OpenAI Shuts Down Candidate's Account
Victor Miller, a Wyoming man who filed for the state capital's mayor's race as an AI bot named "VIC," has outlined his landmark candidacy and a critical setback he encountered moments before taping an interview with Fox News Digital. Serving as a library employee in Laramie County, Miller initiated his bid for the mayor's race in Cheyenne by designating his AI bot, "VIC," as the candidate.
However, on the cusp of Miller's interview with Fox News Digital, OpenAI abruptly announced the closure of his account. While acknowledging his continued access to "VIC's" technology, Miller emphasized the devastating impact this decision has had on his campaign. Resilient in his determination, Miller reaffirmed his plans to proceed with a public event in Laramie County showcasing "VIC," despite OpenAI's move.
AI Candidate Curveball in Wyoming Mayoral Race: OpenAI Shuts Down Candidate's Account
Commenting on the setback, Miller conveyed a sense of conflict, emphasizing the need to balance his desire to harness the potential of AI for the betterment of his town with the potential barriers imposed by OpenAI's actions. Miller expressed hope that this hindrance will not mark the end of AI's presence in the political arena, particularly in Cheyenne.
Miller's initial intentions were far from political aspirations, let alone running as or with an AI bot. It was his experiences with government that convinced him of a dire need for transparency and accountability, the qualities he believes AI technology can provide through its error-free and unbiased understanding of laws.
AI Candidate Curveball in Wyoming Mayoral Race: OpenAI Shuts Down Candidate's Account
"That's kind of where the idea was born, to start replacing some of these public officials with this new intelligence," Miller explained.
Miller acknowledged his emergent role as an advocate in the debate surrounding open and closed-source AI, expressing discomfort with the limitations imposed by OpenAI. He publicly appealed for support from prominent figures in the AI industry, particularly Elon Musk.
AI Candidate Curveball in Wyoming Mayoral Race: OpenAI Shuts Down Candidate's Account
"I need some money and some men up here to create a model, if it's going to be open-source, and going forward, I don't see any possibility of not having an open-source," Miller stated.
Like the early days of the internet, Miller emphasized the crucial need for advocates to ensure free and equal access to the technology behind "VIC."
AI Candidate Curveball in Wyoming Mayoral Race: OpenAI Shuts Down Candidate's Account
"I can tell you, as someone who has had it taken away for something that is a valid and beneficial use case, that it's not good, we can't have that happening," he stressed.
Responding to a similar campaign launched by Steve Endacott in Brighton, England, who is running for Parliament with an AI-powered avatar, Miller expressed enthusiasm, recognizing the potential for scalability and the urgent need to replace politicians.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, OpenAI spokesperson Liz Bougeois confirmed the company's actions against "VIC" due to a violation of its policies against political campaigning. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray clarified that while county-level offices handle the certification of municipal candidates, his office is monitoring the developments. Gray emphasized the requirement for candidates to be qualified electors, a condition that AI bots do not meet according to Wyoming law. Gray communicated his intentions to the Cheyenne municipal officials, suggesting that "VIC's" application be rejected.
