OpenAI Bans Developer For Creating Bot That Mimicked US Lawmaker
OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed organization behind ChatGPT, has taken action against a developer for creating a bot that mimicked Democratic presidential candidate Congressman Dean Phillips. This is the first instance of OpenAI intervening due to the perceived misuse of its artificial intelligence (AI) tools in a political campaign. The developer’s account was removed for knowingly violating OpenAI’s API usage policies, which prohibit political campaigning and impersonation without consent.
The banned bot, named Dean.Bot, was powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology and was created by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Matt Krisiloff and Jed Somers. The entrepreneurs had established a super PAC called We Deserve Better to support Phillips as he runs for office. They contracted with AI start-up Delphi to build the bot, which allowed it to engage with voters in real-time through a website.
OpenAI’s decision to ban the developer’s account came after they suspended Delphi’s account for its involvement in the political campaign. OpenAI’s rules explicitly state that their technology cannot be utilized in political campaigns. Delphi promptly took down Dean.Bot following the account suspension.
We Deserve Better, the super PAC associated with the bot, and Delphi have not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation.
The creation of the Dean.Bot fueled concerns over the potential harm that AI technology could cause in elections. Researchers have warned that the use of AI-generated bots can potentially manipulate public opinion and undermine the democratic process.
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who has invested $1 million in We Deserve Better, expressed his support for the super PAC, calling it the largest investment he has ever made in a political candidate. Ackman’s contribution exemplifies the increasing role of big money in political campaigns.
OpenAI’s actions reflect a growing need to address the responsible use of AI, particularly in the realm of politics. As AI technology continues to advance, it is crucial to establish clear guidelines and regulations to prevent any manipulation or misuse of these powerful tools in democratic processes.
The incident involving Dean.Bot serves as a reminder of the ethical considerations surrounding AI development and usage, and underscores the importance of implementing safeguards to protect the integrity of political campaigns and elections.
