A lawmaker in Porto Alegre, Brazil utilized an AI program to draft a piece of legislation that was unanimously approved by fellow politicians. The bill, which aimed to prevent a local water company from charging residents for new meters, was presented by Councilman Ramiro Rosário. The legislator revealed that the AI tool, called ChatGPT, was able to generate the lengthy text in just 15 seconds, a task that would typically take days and multiple staff members. Rosário believes this legislation is the first in the world to be fully crafted by an AI program. While he views ChatGPT as a game-changer that could potentially replace his public relations team, not all politicians share his enthusiasm.
Upon discovering that the bill was created by an AI tool, some of Rosário’s government colleagues expressed their disapproval. Councilman João Bosco Vaz even called for the law to be revoked, labeling its AI origins as a dangerous precedent. This controversy highlights the ongoing stigma surrounding the inclusion of AI tools in the political process. However, Rosário is not the first professional to utilize ChatGPT in their work. A British judge previously garnered attention after using the AI tool to summarize a law, and an Indian judge employed it to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.
While there may be enthusiasm surrounding the use of AI, there are also valid concerns regarding its potential problems. The New York City government’s departmental AI guidance manual has warned about the potential for flaws, biases, and active harms in such technology. Experts have highlighted concerns about ChatGPT’s programmed-in left-leaning bias and its tolerance of hate speech towards certain political groups. Additionally, the AI tool has demonstrated issues with producing citations, often creating false references that can lead to problems in legal matters.
Furthermore, ChatGPT’s lack of access to updated information poses a challenge. It relies on training data and does not have real-time internet connectivity. This limitation has resulted in problems, such as the creation of phony precedents by the AI tool for a case in New York City. Despite these challenges and concerns, ChatGPT is being hailed for its ability to streamline laborious tasks and generate complex legislation in a fraction of the time. However, the potential consequences and limitations of relying solely on AI tools in the political realm must be carefully considered.
As the use of AI continues to expand across various professions, it is imperative to weigh the benefits against the risks and challenges associated with these technologies. While they offer efficiency and innovation, there is a need for caution to ensure that biases, flaws, and misinformation are adequately addressed. The debate surrounding the inclusion of AI tools in the political process is likely to continue as lawmakers and professionals navigate the opportunities and pitfalls that arise from these emerging technologies.
