Image Credits: www.asahi.com
Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of Japan’s Democratic Party for the People (DPFP), has been compelled to shut down his innovative campaign tool, the “AI Yuichiro” website, less than a month after its launch. The site, which leveraged OpenAI’s ChatGPT to simulate interactive dialogues with users, faced closure due to a breach of the AI company’s terms of service.
Launched on July 8, the AI Yuichiro platform was designed to replicate Tamaki’s policy positions and offer responses in line with his political views. The initiative mirrored a similar tactic employed by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, whose AI-generated news anchor, “AI Yuriko,” garnered considerable attention during her re-election campaign by presenting her policy stances.
Tamaki’s website attracted significant engagement, with over 100,000 questions posed to the AI since its inception. Users interacted with the chatbot to explore various policy responses, such as the party’s stance on high fuel prices, with answers reflecting Tamaki’s real-life perspectives like, “we will support the livelihoods of the people.”
However, the innovative approach drew scrutiny from OpenAI, which flagged the site for violating its policy prohibiting the use of its technology in political campaigns. On August 2, the AI Yuichiro site was officially suspended following OpenAI’s enforcement of its terms and conditions.
In response to the shutdown, Tamaki is exploring alternatives to continue engaging with voters through AI technology, possibly with other platforms that may align more closely with regulatory standards. This incident underscores the growing intersection of AI technology and political campaigning, as well as the evolving guidelines governing their use.