Longshot candidate credits AI for helping beat Biden in American Samoa caucus: ‘Very tech-savvy’

US News

by the Alex Oliveira

A virtually unknown Democratic candidate defeated President Biden in the American Samoa caucus.

Jason Palmer, 52, won just 51 votes to President Biden’s 40 in the tiny Pacific island on Super Tuesday, and he credits artificial intelligence with helping him to a narrow victory.

“I believe I won in part because I’m very tech-savvy,” Palmer told the Wall Street Journal.

The Maryland native did not travel the 7,000 miles from his home state to the island region during his campaign, but instead used an interactive artificial intelligence program that could communicate his policies and experience via text message and email. Answers voters’ questions about

He also put an AI-powered avatar, PalmerAI, on his campaign website that looks like the candidate, talks like the candidate, blinks like the candidate, and answers voters’ questions like the candidate. .

Palmer also held remote town hall events where he appeared via video call and spoke to voters on the phone.

“I think people think I’ve been there because I’ve had these virtual meetings, and I’ve engaged with them using AI,” Palmer said.

He also made sure to be open about his AI programs when communicating with his voters. All of its AI communications begin and end with announcements.

Avatar cost him about $25,000 to make, the Journal reports. Along with his other AI initiatives, the program helped turn a mere $5,000 spent on American Samoa into an early-season victory over the incumbent.

“If I had millions of dollars to market in Colorado or Vermont, who knows I could be more competitive in those states,” Palmer told the Journal.

An entrepreneur with extensive experience in the tech world, Palmer has invested $500,000 in his campaign and has positioned himself as a candidate more in tune with 21st-century realities than 81-year-old Joe Biden.

Palmer gained three delegates from his victory on the island, which has a population of only 50,000. US territories can vote in primaries but are not represented in the Electoral College.

To train the avatar on his website, Palmer visited a studio where he read several of his speeches so the program could learn their vocabulary.

The program limits what the avatar can talk about, limiting it to Palmer’s policies but politely apologizing when inquiries are beyond its competence.

While Palmer admits AI can be dangerous, he also believes it’s an opportunity that could be revolutionary if approached safely — at least his version of AI does.

“AI can be a powerful tool when properly regulated,” PalmerAI told The Post. “It has the potential to enhance job roles rather than eliminate them.”

“However, it is important to regulate ethical frameworks and safety protocols to ensure responsible and beneficial use of AI technology.”