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| A message reading "AI artificial intelligence", a keyboard, and robot hands are seen in this illustration taken January 27, 2025.— Reuters |
A small Japanese political party, Path to Rebirth, stunned observers by announcing that artificial intelligence will become its leader, following the sudden resignation of its founder after poor election results.
Founded earlier this year by former local mayor Shinji Ishimaru, the party never adopted a unified policy platform; instead, it gives members freedom to pursue their own agendas. After its candidates failed to win seats in both Tokyo’s assembly and the national upper house elections this year, Ishimaru stepped down.
In a press conference, Koki Okumura, a 25-year-old doctoral AI researcher, said the AI will manage structural decisions like resource distribution — but will not dictate political views or individual member actions. Okumura will act as the human coordinator or “assistant” to the AI.
The party has drawn media interest, but it remains electorally untested: all of its 42 candidates lost the Tokyo assembly race, and its 10 upper house hopefuls also failed to secure seats. At present, precise technical and governance details — how and when the AI “leader” will assume actual responsibilities — are still being worked out.
FAQs
Q: Which party will have an AI leader?
The Path to Rebirth party in Japan.
Q: Why did the founder quit?
After the party failed to win any seats in recent elections, founder Shinji Ishimaru resigned.
Q: What role will the AI play?
It will handle internal decisions such as resource allocation, but not mandate individual members’ political positions.
Q: Who is Koki Okumura?
A 25-year-old AI researcher from Kyoto University, he will act as the human liaison to the AI.
Q: Will the AI fully replace human leadership?
Not immediately — the details and implementation timeline are still being decided.