Jason Palmer, a virtually unknown Democratic candidate, beat Joe Biden in the American Samoa caucus earlier this month on Super Tuesday. Palmer won the vote over Biden 51-40, largely through strategic use of cutting-edge technology. His out-of-nowhere win has put a new spotlight on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigns.

Palmer, a Maryland entrepreneur deeply versed in technology, did not physically campaign in American Samoa. Instead, he used an interactive program and an AI-powered avatar, PalmerAI, on his campaign website to solicit votes. He was able to directly interact with individual voters remotely, answering questions and engaging in direct discussions.  

Jason Palmer, the obscure presidential candidate who beat President Biden in American Samoa this week, says AI played a big role in his campaign strategy: “I believe I won in part because I'm very adept at technology.” https://t.co/iyuLCdpvR4 via @WSJ

— Jason Palmer (@educationpalmer) March 15, 2024

The candidate’s approach to campaigning is not traditional by any means. “I believe I won in part because I’m very adept at technology,” Palmer explained. He conducted virtual town halls and engaged voters through AI, making his presence felt despite the geographical distance. His efforts in American Samoa cost less than $5,000, a fraction of typical campaign expenditures in larger states. Palmer has invested $500,000 of his own money into his campaign.

Palmer’s use of AI has raised eyebrows and questions alike. He assures transparency with voters, starting and ending all AI communications with clear disclaimers. His online avatar, developed at a cost of around $25,000, limited discussions to his policies and apologized when unable to address certain topics.

Despite the victory’s limited impact on the overall nomination, Palmer’s win in American Samoa is noteworthy. It reflects a growing trend of leveraging technology in politics, suggesting AI could reshape future campaigns. 

As we analyze this surprising turn of events, several points stand out. Palmer’s victory, though small, underscores the increasing integration of technology in political strategy, highlighting a shift toward more virtual, AI-assisted forms of campaigning. This could signal a new era where candidates with tech-savvy approaches can make significant impacts, even with smaller budgets.

The type of AI-driven technology Palmer used this year remains relatively untested in larger, more conventional elections. However, his win in American Samoa indicates that AI technology is certain to become an essential tool in political campaigns very soon.