In an effort to tackle overwhelming constituent messaging, British MP Mark Sewards has unveiled “AI Mark,” a chatbot designed to emulate his voice and Yorkshire accent when responding to public inquiries. Sewards launched the tool after receiving more than 6,000 messages within his first three months in office, suggesting constituents give it a try to help manage communication.
The move immediately drew criticism. Social media users argued it made Sewards even less accessible and called it a lazy and environmentally irresponsible shortcut. Critics questioned whether a digital deputy could ever substitute for personal engagement.
Sewards and Neural Voice—a tech startup behind the project—defend AI Mark as an accessibility enhancer, not a replacement. “We want to bring access to [Sewards’] office to the masses,” said Neural Voice CEO Jeremy Smith. The AI tool provides information, answers basic queries, and invites further conversation, though its responses can feel vague or neutral—limited by what it knows.
AI Mark greets visitors with: “Hi, I’m AI Mark Sewards, Labour MP for Leeds South West and Morley. How can I help you today?” It can deliver civic information but admitted uncertainty when pressed on local concerns. Sewards insists the AI is a supplement—not a substitute—for direct dialogue with constituents.
This isn’t the first political experiment by Neural Voice. Its chairman, Steve Endacott, previously introduced “AI Steve,” a digital version of himself proposed to stand for Parliament. The plan was to cast votes based on AI-led constituent feedback—an idea that ignited its own ethical debate.
As Sewards’ digital clone goes live, the controversy highlights a broader struggle: balancing technological innovation in governance with the essential value of human connection.
