A remote island in the Philippines is set to be entirely governed by artificial intelligence, with a cabinet of robots modeled on history's greatest minds. Sensay, a 3.6-kilometer island in the Palawan archipelago, was purchased in 2025 by British tech entrepreneur Dan Thomson, founder of an AI chatbot company also named Sensay. His vision is to establish the island as a micronation ruled by a council of 17 AI-powered robots.
The AI Cabinet
The robotic leaders are replicas of renowned historical figures, including Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt, Marcus Aurelius, Nelson Mandela, Leonardo da Vinci, Sun Tzu, and Gandhi. Each AI is trained using the actual writings, speeches, teachings, and philosophies of its namesake. These digital personas deliberate, argue from their historical perspectives, and vote on proposals to incorporate into the island's constitution.
Risks and Safeguards
Thomson acknowledges the potential dangers. "If it starts acquiring weapons and attacking neighbouring islands, that would be a bad situation," he told CNN Travel, though he added, "I think it's extremely unlikely." To mitigate risks, a Human Override Assembly of nine elected residents can counteract harmful decisions. Currently, the AI relies on human proxies to implement its choices, but the long-term plan includes connecting the AI council to independent banking cards and crypto wallets. This raises concerns about giving software the power to hire and pay workers without human approval.
Economy and Residents
Sensay operates a dual-token economy: Wisdom-Credits for civic services and SNSY Token for global trade. The island currently has only one resident, a groundskeeper named Mike. However, over 12,000 people have registered for e-residency, a digital identity allowing access to e-services. Thomson plans to build up to 30 villas, transforming Sensay into a tourist stopover. Physical deployment will be phased: Observer Visas launch in 2026, followed by full e-residency and 100% renewable energy in 2027.
Philosophy and Recognition
The project remains an experiment without international recognition. Thomson hopes the AI will produce policy that is "data-driven, rights-anchored, and audited for fairness," free from lobbyists and personal gain. He believes the high interest reflects "so many people having such little faith in their own governments."
