04/25/2026
I don’t know how to feel about a huge portion of local candidates talking about bolstering jobs and economy, being against CCS and data centers taking land through imminent domain, while completely outsourcing graphic design, speech-writing, PR, and campaigning in general to ChatGPT.
We used to have people for that. We DO have people for that. In fact, we have known people in the community who went through fires recently who do exactly that, and maybe there’s some support there I didn’t catch by these candidates and it’s fine to not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing with aid, but outsourcing is still happening.
I get it. We are 49th in collective education. We can’t spell and we are math/data poor. Sometimes the financials aren’t there to hire people. I am not even totally hardcore against ChatGPTs gentle use by people who can’t afford the help but I’d at least like to see some kind of footnote like ‘hey, I used AI for pertinent calculations, facts, grammar, graphic design, etc., and it was verified by myself to be factual and reflects my direct beliefs…’ not just them blasting all these things out like they wrote it themselves.
These graphics, speeches and information posts are also all very monotone. All of the candidates are saying the same things in the same tone. They used to all have their own quirks and personalities. They don’t talk like this in videos or in person. It leaves you thinking, “you mean to tell me you would’ve thought to say all that without the help of AI?” Then you wonder if they even believe in what they’re saying in the first place, which leads you down the road of, “If their heart isn’t in these statements, will they honor them?”.
It likely isn’t malicious and they likely didn’t even think about it, but really it’s a big deal in the long run and contradicts the goal. You just took 3 jobs, or even three volunteer interactions with your public by using AI. It hurts more than it helps in some areas. Removing posts and comments gently and politely asking questions about it isn’t helpful either.
I’m not being nasty, but it’s not my favorite thing in the world. I just advise you do a little cost benefit analysis before integrating ChatGPT in your career as a politician.
Meanwhile I want the rest of the public to be reminded that it’s okay to like and support your guy, but it’s your job to keep these people in check. That’s your only job. Support doesn’t include enabling and if you’re so tally ho for these people that you can’t call them out or let people ask questions, not only are you failing your civic duty but you’re also failing the candidate. That’s not support, that’s enablement.
SWLA, CENLA, or wherever it may be, remember who you are, and what you believe in. Be weary stepping into blind mechanical faith in monotonous politicians. It only takes a second to generate a speech, and after everything we been through, we are worth more than a seconds effort.
Speed Media
-AI not used in this text.
