The Aqui Terme paradox: an AI-generated councillor responsible for humanisation

Her name is Eva Statiella; she is about to become a councillor in Acqui Terme, and if you’ve never heard of her before, it’s because she was created using the artificial intelligence. On the initiative of the mayor, Danilo Rapetti, the Piedmontese town is spearheading an experiment that is steering politics and public administration towards the wonders, unknowns and anxieties of the 21st century. But the paradox is that Statiella, with the imminent reshuffle of the municipal council, will receive the portfolio for Humanisation, alongside those, undoubtedly more in line with the times, for artificial intelligence and the digital transition.

The ultimate aim is not to appease this or that party with an extra seat but, according to the assurances given by the mayor himself, “to gain a better understanding of what might happen when these bodies actually play an active and decision-making role”. The name was not chosen at random. Eva, of course, is the biblical ancestor of all women, whilst Statiella refers to the ancient peoples who inhabited these valleys, the Liguri Statielli, and to ‘Acquae Statiellae’, the Roman settlement upon which the spa town is now built. It is not yet clear what measures the new councillor will be able to take on matters within her remit, nor is it clear how she will be able to participate in discussions with her colleagues in person.

But that’s not all; Rapetti has plenty more up his sleeve. Standing in 2022 on a civic list after a very long career in the centre-right, the 55-year-old, who was mayor of Acqui between 2002 and 2012 and boasts three master’s degrees (in education, psychology and business administration), the mayor intends to create a virtual replica of himself to present to the public: an avatar mayor who “will respond to tourists or anyone wishing to ask questions about council departments, local needs or proposals for the town”. All of this will take place on his social media pages.

Acqui Terme’s embrace of the boundless and unexplored realms of artificial intelligence continues. According to the mayor’s plans, the council is set to become ‘agent-based’, with fleets of computers capable of handling public relations and dealing with certain matters relating to town planning, the registry office and civil status. This will also benefit public sector employees, who, relieved of “repetitive, time-consuming and pointless” tasks, will have “more time for training, meetings and studying more complex cases”. And all this “without laying off anyone”.