AI and Decision-Makers

The growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered systems on decision-making can significantly affect how society functions, especially as these technologies start making inroads into human professions. In the summer of 2024, Victor Miller, a mayoral candidate in Cheyenne, Wyoming, made waves with an unconventional campaign promise: if elected, he would let an AI bot make decisions instead of him. Similarly, Steven Endacott, a businessman from Brighton, ran for British Parliament in 2024 with his AI-powered avatar, "AI Steve," representing him as an Independent candidate. Though both Miller and Endacott lost their races decisively, their candidacies set precedents for the use of AI in political campaigns, raising questions about who can run for office and how AI tools like GPT models might be employed in such roles.

In the private sector, there is an even greater willingness to embrace AI for decision-making. Companies are integrating AI to optimize operations and boost profits, with some suggesting that AI could soon play a role at the highest levels of management. A recent survey found that nearly half of CEOs believe AI could automate much of their roles, and according to Jack Ma, CEO of Alibaba, "a robot will likely be on the cover of Time magazine [in the future] as the best CEO." However, AI is still not advanced enough to fully develop strategies on its own. Though it excels in tasks such as competitive analysis and performance evaluation, which can significantly enhance strategic outcomes, the "soft skills" required for effective leadership remain a challenge. Beyond that, AI may soon be used to evaluate whether executives are experiencing cognitive decline and offer ways to help them avoid scrutiny. These developments suggest that AI's influence in leadership roles — whether in politics or business — will only grow, with profound implications for how we approach elections and government.