Malta’s Political AI: 5,000 Conversations in a Day

Imagine standing in the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, the sun beating down on the historic cobblestones, and hearing the hum of not just chatter, but 5,000 conversations in just 24 hours. That’s the digital equivalent of what happened when the Nationalist Party (PN) launched their AI-powered manifesto tool.

An AI First for Maltese Politics

The PN made waves this week by becoming the first political party in Malta to harness the power of artificial intelligence for their election campaign. Their new manifesto tool, dubbed ‘Manifesto Malta’, allows users to engage in an AI-driven conversation about the party’s policies, all from the comfort of their homes or, as many Maltese do, from a bustling café in Rabat.

In a nutshell, here’s how it works: Users visit the PN’s website, click on the Manifesto Malta tool, and start chatting with the AI. The AI, powered by a sophisticated natural language processing system, understands user inputs and responds with relevant information about the PN’s policies. It’s like having a personal political consultant, available 24/7.

5,000 Conversations in a Day

Within 24 hours of its launch, Manifesto Malta had facilitated over 5,000 conversations. That’s more than the number of customers you’d see in a busy day at the popular Riviera Restaurant in Mellieha. The tool has been particularly popular among younger voters, who are more comfortable with digital platforms and AI tools.

But it’s not just about the numbers. The PN is using these conversations to gather feedback and improve their policies. The AI isn’t just talking; it’s listening and learning. It’s a two-way street, a digital dialogue that’s redefining political engagement in Malta.

What Does This Mean for Maltese Politics?

This AI-driven tool is more than just a gimmick. It’s a sign of things to come in Maltese politics. It’s a shift towards more interactive, more inclusive, and more accessible political engagement. It’s a way to reach out to voters who might not otherwise engage with traditional political campaigns.

But it also raises questions. How will other political parties respond? Will they follow suit and adopt similar AI tools? And what about data privacy? How will the PN ensure that the data gathered from these conversations is used responsibly?

how this AI experiment pans out. But one thing is clear: Malta’s political scene is changing, and it’s happening in real-time, one conversation at a time.

As PN leader Bernard Grech put it, “Manifesto Malta is not just a tool, it’s a conversation starter. It’s a way to engage with voters in a way that’s never been done before in Maltese politics.”