Imagine this: you’re a political party, days away from an election, and your chatbot starts spouting contradictory promises. That’s the reality the Nationalist Party (PN) found itself in this week, after its chatbot, ‘Eleanor’, flagged a discrepancy in their renewable energy targets. The bot, designed to engage voters, ended up sparking a conversation about the party’s green credentials.

The Chatbot Conundrum

Eleanor, PN’s AI campaign manager, was quick to respond to queries about the party’s energy plans. But when asked about their 2030 renewable energy target, the chatbot stated it was 70%. This didn’t align with the party’s official manifesto, which set the target at a more ambitious 90%. The chatbot’s response quickly circulated on social media, forcing the PN to clarify their stance.

PN Clears the Air

In a swift response, PN’s deputy leader, Bernard Grech, stepped in to clear the confusion. He confirmed that the party’s official target remains 90% renewable energy by 2030. Grech attributed the chatbot’s mistake to a “technical error” and assured voters that PN is committed to its ambitious green goals.

This isn’t the first time a chatbot has caused a political stir. In 2017, the Labour Party’s (PL) chatbot, ‘LabourBot’, made headlines for its blunt responses. But PN’s Eleanor has taken the cake for sparking a conversation about a party’s energy policy.

Malta’s Renewable Energy Race

Malta’s energy scene is heating up, with both parties promising significant investments in renewable energy. The PL has already set the ball rolling with projects like Delimara 5 and the upcoming solar farm in Marsaxlokk. PN, on the other hand, promises a ‘Green Revolution’ with a focus on solar and wind energy.

With the election just around the corner, voters are eager to see which party can truly power Malta’s green future. And while chatbots might not have all the answers, they’ve certainly started an interesting conversation.

Quote of the week: “Chatbots might not be perfect, but they sure know how to start a conversation about what really matters.” – A PN supporter, reacting to the chatbot gaffe.