AI Chatbot Created for Virginia Congressional Debate

Independent congressional candidate Bentley Hensel is utilizing an AI chatbot, named DonBot, to simulate a debate with incumbent Congressman Don Beyer, who has declined to participate in additional debates in Virginia's 8th district. Hensel trained DonBot using publicly available materials from Beyer's official communications, aiming to provide voters with insights into Beyer's policies. The debate is scheduled for October 17 and will also include fellow independent candidate David Kennedy, while the Republican challenger, Jerry Torres, has not confirmed his participation. Hensel views this unconventional approach as a means to ensure transparency in elections, especially against Beyer's significant lead in the polls. Beyer's campaign has not issued a formal response to the AI debate, but a spokesperson indicated Beyer's focus on AI regulation rather than engaging with the chatbot. The use of AI in political discourse raises concerns about misinformation and voter perception, particularly as the election approaches.