In Nepal, anti-corruption protesters utilized the artificial intelligence ChatGPT and the online platform Discord to select a temporary prime minister. This approach has become a unique example of the influence of digital technologies on political processes in the country.
This is reported by Finway
Choosing a Candidate through Artificial Intelligence
During mass protests against corruption, participants in the “Youth Against Corruption” movement turned to ChatGPT to identify the optimal candidate for forming a transitional government. Among the options suggested by the bot, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki received the most support, being considered a compromise figure capable of uniting various communities and implementing necessary reforms.
Other possible candidates included the mayor of Dhangadhi, Harka Sampang, and the mayor of Kathmandu, Balen Shah, who is also known in the country as a rap performer. However, it was Karki who emerged as the leader following the voting.
Mobilization through Discord and Public Reaction
A key role in mobilizing activists was played by the Youths Against Corruption server on Discord, where over 130,000 users came together. It was here that online voting was organized, with thousands of people participating. More than half of the votes were cast for Sushila Karki, solidifying her leadership among the protesters. In addition to selecting a candidate, server participants discussed the future of Nepal’s political system, proposed candidates, held debates, and coordinated protest actions.
After the events, Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah praised the youth for their “enthusiasm, foresight, and integrity.”
Furthermore, the situation in Kathmandu was accompanied by violent clashes. Protesters attacked the homes of politicians and government institutions following the imposition of a ban on social media, including Facebook and YouTube, as well as due to the high level of corruption.
Not all residents of Nepal supported this method of selecting a leader. Some criticized the lack of legitimacy in digital voting, emphasizing that deep research and a public mandate are needed for change, rather than just the use of a chatbot and Discord.
It is worth noting that, at this time, major international media have yet to confirm the accuracy of all information regarding the scale of the voting and the actual impact of digital platforms on the selection of the country’s temporary leader. Discussions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of this approach continue.