Colombia authorizes a candidacy represented by AI in legislative elections
Colombia allows a computer-generated candidate, Gaitana, represented as a blue-skinned woman, to run for legislative seats on behalf of Indigenous communities.
In a groundbreaking move, Colombia has authorized a computer-generated candidate named Gaitana, who is represented as a blue-skinned woman on social media. Gaitana is set to run for simultaneous seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives, specifically representing the Special Indigenous Circumscription in Bogotรก. This decision is significant as it highlights the integration of technology and traditional political structures, aiming to provide representation for Indigenous communities in Colombia's legislative process.
Gaitana's creator, Carlos Redondo, emphasizes that the project is rooted in the traditional views of leadership within Indigenous communities, where the focus is on consensus rather than individual ego. By digitizing these values, Redondo hopes to bridge the gap between cultural representation and modern political practices. He elaborated that the initiative is an attempt to reflect the community's vision of governance, where leaders act as facilitators rather than authoritative figures.
However, it is important to note that the Colombian electoral law does not legally recognize AI as candidates. As a workaround, the National Electoral Council has permitted Redondo and another human representative to assume the candidacy on behalf of Gaitana, thereby ensuring that the decisions made in the campaign reflect the collective consensus of the Indigenous communities. This decision may lead to further discussions on the role of technology in politics and the future of representation in Colombia and beyond.