Politics and AI: two comfortable bedfellows

In this General Election you might have noticed that there is a new kid on the block: the brilliantly named AI-Steve, standing for election in Brighton. Much has been written about the candidacy of AI-Steve – and rightly so – but, ahem, the use of AI in a UK Parliamentary election is a not a new thing, for this is what I did way back in July 23, in the Selby and Ainsty by-election. See Wikipedia: it is never wrong!

And, my independent political campaign, together with my non-profit – the Crowd Wisdom Project – has been using AI technology, enabled by the awesome team at New Redo, for over three years.

And after working in partnership with the legends at New Redo, I am thrilled to announce my new role as their advisor. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, not only for my journey in the tech world but also for the potential it unlocks for organisations looking to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence. I can’t wait to get started.

Back in 2023, my foray into the political arena as an independent candidate in the Selby and Ainsty by-election was an eye-opener. Utilizing Polis AI, I engaged with constituents on a level never seen before in UK politics. This innovative approach - if I may say so myself - allowed me to gather and analyse public opinion in real-time, creating a manifesto truly reflective of the community's desires. Although the election didn't go in my favour (to put it mildly), the experience underscored the immense potential of AI in fostering more democratic and responsive governance. It’s the future, I’m telling you.

And NewRedo played a pivotal role in this journey, guiding me all the way. Their expertise in agile software development was instrumental in creating a robust and responsive Polis instance. Our collaboration demonstrated how technology, when used ethically and effectively, can bridge the gap between prospective political leaders and the communities they want to serve.

Joining NewRedo as an advisor feels like a natural progression. I have always been passionate about using technology to drive positive change – even though I am far from a natural “techy” - and NewRedo's vision aligns perfectly with my ethos. The scope for using AI to improve organisations is vast, and I am excited to explore these opportunities together. Using AI well and ethically, we can really increase productivity within organisations.

Of course, one of the most significant advantages of AI is its ability to process and analyse vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. For businesses, this means making more informed decisions based on real-time insights. Whether it's optimizing supply chains, enhancing customer service, or improving internal processes, AI has the potential to revolutionise how organizations operate. The political scene has been slow to pick this up, but businesses in Yorkshire can see the potential, though there are compliance concerns, which I understand.

Take, for instance, the concept of consensus-building, which was at the heart of my campaign. By using AI tools like Polis, organisations can engage with their stakeholders—be it customers, employees, or the community at large—to gather diverse perspectives and identify common ground. And – boy – don’t we need some common ground these days! This approach not only fosters a sense of inclusion and transparency but also leads to more robust and sustainable decision-making. Win, win, win.

In my new advisory role, I aim to help organisations understand and leverage these benefits. AI is not just a tool for large corporations with deep pockets; it's a versatile technology that can be tailored to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes and sectors. From healthcare to retail, finance to education, the applications are limitless. But don’t be scared of AI, though. The way I see AI, it’s like the sensors on my that helps me to park my car – and I freely admit that I am not good at parking. But, with my former lawyer hat on, I appreciate the issues of data security and data ethics when it comes to how to work with AI.

The ethical deployment of AI is a core principle I stand by, and it's something that NewRedo and I are deeply committed to. As AI continues to evolve, it's crucial that we ensure its use respects privacy, promotes fairness, and mitigates biases. This ethical framework will guide our projects and collaborations, ensuring that the technology we develop and implement benefits all stakeholders.

I invite you to join us on this exciting journey. If you're curious about how AI can transform your organisation, I'd love to have a chat. Whether you're looking to improve customer engagement, streamline operations, or explore new business opportunities, we're here to help you navigate the AI landscape and unlock its full potential. And, of course, if you want to discuss the use of AI in the political space, please reach out!

The future is here, and it's brimming with possibilities. If you snooze, you’ll lose.