The AI president: a country governed by artificial intelligence

Purpose This paper aims to explore the possible forms and characteristics of an artificial intelligence (AI) leader and discuss the potential applications of AI in political leadership and governance. Design/methodology/approach A categorization system consisting of three categories – the level of responsibility, the voting system and the bindingness of the AI’s decisions – was developed to better understand the various types of AI leaders. Additionally, to identify the main characteristics of an AI leader, a comprehensive literature review was conducted. The themes from the literature were then categorized and supplemented with additional discussions. Findings This paper identifies several potential AI leaders, including the AI President, the AI Dictator, the AI Minister and the AI Consultant. The key characteristics of an AI leader were also discussed. The primary strengths of AI lie in their intelligence and rationality, which could potentially lead our societies toward a peaceful and prosperous future. However, a significant drawback of AI is that it will always be limited by the capabilities and intentions of its programmer, whether human or AI. Practical implications Understanding the forms and characteristics of AI leaders may help policymakers and decision-makers explore the possibilities of integrating AI into political leadership and governance. Originality/value This paper contributes to the emerging field of AI in governance by exploring the forms and characteristics of AI leaders and discussing their potential applications in political leadership.