Synthetic Focus Groups: Incredibly Stupid?

Is it just me or is this INCREDIBLY STUPID?

Apparently,(according to this Spectator piece), Morgan Mc Sweeney is using synthetic focus groups to inform UK Government policy.

This is quite literally, ‘made up data’. Yes, it’s based on historical patterns but given what we know about AI’s shortcomings that not

Is it just me that finds this jaw droppingly naive?

Here are five reasons why, despite being totally convinced that AI can improve democracy, I am also convinced this is a boneheaded way to further destroy it.

1. AI is, by its nature, always using data which is out of date. Should the government consult real life voters of today or fake voters from 2024?

2. AI datasets recreate existing bias in society because they are created to mirror the way society has always been, not how we want it to be. The job of government is to reduce systematic bias, not reinforce it.

3. It will feed distrust when the government chooses to consult made-up voters not real ones and risks reinforcing the perception of an aloof political elite that only hears what it wants to.

4. This approach offers nothing to voters - done well, AI conversations can help inform people about the trade-offs facing government as well as just extracting their opinions.

5. This is further evidence of the stockholm syndrome this government has when it comes to AI technology. AI is going to cause as many problems for the government as it solves - where is the plan for dealing with them!!!???

I've rattled this off because I'm angry but I'd love to know if people think I am wrong - or if I'm right maybe share this to help expose how deeply certain people's heads are buried in the sand...