A candidate for the populist Reform UK Party in Britain has had to defend himself against allegations that he is not a real person but rather an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated candidate. Mark Matlock, standing for in London’s Brixton and Clapham Hill, was at the center of these claims due to his seemingly artificial appearance.
“I am a real person and that is me in the photo,” Matlock confirmed to British news outlet The Independent.”Though I must admit I am enjoying the free publicity, and when I feel up to it, I will put out a video and prove these rumors that I’m a robot are absolute baloney.”
Matlock expressed that the accusations had a surprisingly positive effect on his campaign. “I just laughed when I saw it,” he added. “I think it perked me up. I thought, ‘I need to get back out there.’ This is doing more good for me than my campaign, it’s fantastic.”
Reform UK exceeded expectations in the most recent general election, capturing 14% of the vote, which translated to only 1% of the seats in the House of Commons due to the “first past the post” system. The party’s unexpected success has led to scrutiny, with some alleging that the party propped up fake candidates.
Alan Mendoza, co-founder and executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, commented on the situation, saying, “The political mainstream has been looking to catch Reform out – given its shock surge in the polls – for some time,” and that AI proved a useful tool in these accusations. However, Mendoza clarified that the idea of AI candidates had been proven false, adding that more such allegations might arise in future elections called on short notice.
Matlock explained that his campaign poster photo was taken outside the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and had been edited due to the lack of a photographer on short notice. “The only reason that was done was because we couldn’t get a photographer at such short notice, but that is me,” he insisted.
Matlock also mentioned facing a lot of negativity online. “I got pneumonia three days before election night. I was exercising, taking vitamins so I could attend, but it was just not viable,” he revealed. “On election night, I couldn’t even stand.”
Despite the challenges, Reform UK admitted that in their rush to find candidates, they ended up recruiting friends and family to stand for office. A spokesperson for the party said, “Basically it’s friends, relations, office workers. One of the candidates got their partner to stand.”
“I am a real person and that is me in the photo,” Matlock confirmed to British news outlet The Independent.”Though I must admit I am enjoying the free publicity, and when I feel up to it, I will put out a video and prove these rumors that I’m a robot are absolute baloney.”
Matlock expressed that the accusations had a surprisingly positive effect on his campaign. “I just laughed when I saw it,” he added. “I think it perked me up. I thought, ‘I need to get back out there.’ This is doing more good for me than my campaign, it’s fantastic.”
Reform UK exceeded expectations in the most recent general election, capturing 14% of the vote, which translated to only 1% of the seats in the House of Commons due to the “first past the post” system. The party’s unexpected success has led to scrutiny, with some alleging that the party propped up fake candidates.
Alan Mendoza, co-founder and executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, commented on the situation, saying, “The political mainstream has been looking to catch Reform out – given its shock surge in the polls – for some time,” and that AI proved a useful tool in these accusations. However, Mendoza clarified that the idea of AI candidates had been proven false, adding that more such allegations might arise in future elections called on short notice.
Matlock explained that his campaign poster photo was taken outside the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and had been edited due to the lack of a photographer on short notice. “The only reason that was done was because we couldn’t get a photographer at such short notice, but that is me,” he insisted.
Matlock also mentioned facing a lot of negativity online. “I got pneumonia three days before election night. I was exercising, taking vitamins so I could attend, but it was just not viable,” he revealed. “On election night, I couldn’t even stand.”
Despite the challenges, Reform UK admitted that in their rush to find candidates, they ended up recruiting friends and family to stand for office. A spokesperson for the party said, “Basically it’s friends, relations, office workers. One of the candidates got their partner to stand.”
