ChatGPT covertly shapes controversial law in Brazilian City

City lawmakers in Porto Alegre, Brazil, unknowingly passed the country's first legislation entirely written by an AI, ChatGPT. Councilman Ramiro Rosário sought ChatGPT's assistance crafting a proposal to prevent taxpayers from being charged for stolen water consumption meters. Without revealing its AI origin, he presented the proposal to the 36-member council, and it was unanimously approved, going into effect on 23rd November.

The move sparked debates about the role of AI in public policy, with concerns raised about transparency and potential risks. Porto Alegre's council president, Hamilton Sossmeier, initially considered it a "dangerous precedent" when he learned about the AI's involvement after Rosário shared the achievement on social media.

The incident highlights the global discussion on the impact of AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT in various sectors, including lawmaking. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, has been used in different capacities worldwide, with some advocating for its utility in streamlining the legislative process.

However, the lack of transparency in Porto Alegre raised concerns about the potential pitfalls of using AI in decision-making. Critics argue that AI, despite its capabilities, may lack the nuanced understanding and judgment of a human when interpreting legal principles and precedent.

In contrast, supporters, like Senator Barry Finegold in Massachusetts, believe that AI can aid in the legislative process, provided there is transparency. Finegold emphasises the need to watermark AI-generated work to ensure clarity about its origin.

Despite initial reservations, Sossmeier, the council president in Porto Alegre, has shifted his stance, acknowledging that AI's role in lawmaking may become a trend. Rosário, the councilman who initiated the AI-written proposal, sees the incident as a catalyst for a broader debate on the responsible use of technology in governance.