Virginia Candidate Hosts Debate Against Incumbent’s AI Chatbot

In a unique twist to political campaigning, Bentley Hensel, an independent congressional candidate in Virginia, has created an AI chatbot named DonBot to stand in for Democratic incumbent Don Beyer in a recent debate. With less than a month until election day in Virginia's 8th congressional district, where Beyer is expected to win by a wide margin, Hensel’s move aims to engage voters and highlight Beyer’s refusal to participate in any debates since September.

In response, Hensel devised a creative plan that pushes the limits of both technology and campaign etiquette: a debate against an AI version of Beyer. Hensel personally developed the AI chatbot—without seeking Beyer’s consent.

DonBot, designed by Hensel using OpenAI’s technology, is trained on Beyer’s official website, press releases, and data from the Federal Election Commission. Hensel emphasized that the chatbot is meant to simulate Beyer’s stance on issues based on public records, not to mislead voters. "The voters of this district deserve to hear from him and all the candidates on the issues," Hensel said, defending his decision to create the AI stand-in for the incumbent.

The Debate Setup and AI’s Role

The debate, which took place online on October 17, featured Hensel and fellow independent David Kennedy, with DonBot representing Beyer. Despite Beyer’s absence from the event, DonBot was used to answer policy questions based on Beyer’s publicly available statements. Republican candidate Jerry Torres, who raised around $30,000 for the race, did not attend or provide a statement, leaving only the independents and the AI chatbot in the discussion.

Hensel’s AI innovation is part of a broader effort to bring attention to his campaign, which has been largely overshadowed by Beyer’s commanding lead and well-established political career. The AI debate was streamed on YouTube and Rumble, though viewership remained low, peaking at fewer than 20 viewers. The chatbot’s responses were read aloud by a robotic voice that did not attempt to mimic Beyer’s voice directly, and the AI’s audio cut out during portions of the debate.

Policy Discussion and AI's Performance

During the debate, the candidates and DonBot tackled key issues like gun control, U.S. aid to Israel, and healthcare access. DonBot, when asked why voters should reelect Beyer, responded, “My answer is simple: I believe that I can make a real difference in the lives of the people of Virginia’s 8th district.”

On the subject of aid to Israel, the AI explained that it would oppose withholding all aid and weapons shipments to Israel in exchange for establishing a Palestinian state. It also aligned with Beyer’s record, noting that Beyer voted against additional aid to Israel in April, arguing that the country could finance its own defense.

When Reuters asked about gun control, DonBot responded, "We are beyond a crisis point with guns in America," adding that "halting gun violence has been a major focus of my work." In response to a separate query, the AI stated, "I firmly support a woman's right to choose," as part of a longer answer referencing legislation Beyer has endorsed.

Hensel, along with David Kennedy, acknowledged that the use of AI in the debate was, in part, a final attempt to inject some energy into the campaign. Both candidates have struggled to gain traction, with Beyer securing nearly three-fourths of the vote in the 2022 election. “I am not naïve about what’s going to happen in November,” said Hensel, referring to Beyer’s considerable lead in the polls. “But I believe strongly in greater transparency.”

The Future of AI in Elections

Though the debate garnered limited attention, it has sparked conversations about the role AI may play in future elections. DonBot performed reliably in delivering straightforward policy positions without succumbing to what AI developers call "hallucinations" or misinformation. While some viewers saw the debate as more of a stunt, others argue that this experiment is a glimpse into how AI might influence political communication in the coming years.

Beyer’s spokesperson reiterated that the congressman had participated in a September forum with the other candidates but chose not to attend the October debate. She added that Beyer continues to be an advocate for AI regulation, including legislation to prevent the use of AI for election misinformation.

Observers have noted that AI could become a more prominent tool in political campaigns as technology evolves, particularly if lawmakers fail to pass meaningful legislation to regulate its use. Hensel’s bold move, although unlikely to change the outcome of the race, has opened the door to discussions about the ethics and implications of AI in the democratic process.