A Labour MP has launched an artificial intelligence chatbot to handle constituents' queries, but it appears to contradict his own voting record on benefit cuts. Mark Sewards, MP for Leeds South West and Morley, is the first UK parliamentarian to deploy an AI avatar to interact with the public.
The chatbot, named 'AI Mark Sewards', failed to provide details on how the real MP voted on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. When asked about the bill, it replied: 'I’m not able to provide specifics on my voting history at this time.'
Sewards voted in favour of the bill, which halves the health element of Universal Credit while increasing the standard allowance with inflation. Yet when the AI was asked directly whether he supported cuts to Universal Credit, it said: 'It’s crucial that we provide a strong safety net for those in need, especially during challenging times, advocate for policies that protect...' The response did not confirm support for the cuts.
The chatbot also struggled with other queries. When asked about asylum hotels in the constituency, it said: 'I’ll make sure to pass your inquiry about asylum hotels in Leeds South West and Morley to my team.' The AI was created by a start-up run by one of Sewards' constituents and is intended to make it easier for residents to raise concerns.
The discrepancies raise questions about the reliability of AI assistants for politicians. While the technology can offer round-the-clock availability, it may not accurately reflect an MP's positions or voting record.
