Some are raising ethical concerns about political text messages using AI

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NPR

July 12, 2026 5:00 AM ET


AI-powered platforms are training bots to sound like political candidates in text messages, holding personalized conversations with thousands of potential voters simultaneously. The bots are also gathering data, learning what each voter wants from their representatives and using that information to shape future campaign messaging.

Aaron Sheeks, the CEO of Akillion, an AI platform that lets people run their own Large Language Models or bots, said many of his current clients are running for political office.

"Our goal is to put the microphone back in the hand of the voter," said Sheeks. "We're giving agencies and political campaigns the ability to have a trained AI employee that can go back and forth and answer questions on police reform or education or tax changes."

Some in the broader political text messaging industry say generative AI's ability to answer voter's questions and gather data about their concerns is going to be revolutionary for campaigns; others say political text messages are a limited — and annoying — tool and using AI won't improve it. While it's difficult to ascertain how many campaigns are using generative AI to text voters this election cycle, experts say Republicans have been adapting to AI faster than Democrats.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/12/nx-s1-5867763/ai-artificial-intelligence-data-texts-bots-voters-campaigns

[AZJonnie]

1. I suppose as long as the constituent is clearly informed they're speaking to an AI

(NOT the rep or candidate) and that the information from their communications is being used in the way they are told it's going to be used (which should also be clearly spelled out), then it's really not all that different from using the chatbot at the bank or the cable company or whatever. One can either choose to avail themself of that communication method, or not, in an informed sort of way.

Any variance from the above conditions though, then I have a big problem with the practice.

[Bayard]

2. I approve this message