AI take on the candidate forum

After reading Lisa Yeager’s article on the candidate forum, I felt it missed a crucial part of the evening—the unique, unscripted moments that only come through live interactions. As I struggled to put my thoughts into words my husband’s and my godson, who with his dad are visiting from Germany, suggested I try using AI, “for fun” he said, to help express my thoughts more clearly. Here’s what we came up with:

"While candidate agendas are often available online, the true value of a live forum goes beyond policy points. Articles like this overlook how much personality, conviction, and authenticity emerge when candidates engage directly with voters. The way they handle tough questions, respect differing views, and connect in a community setting are qualities you simply can’t capture on a website. Let’s not underestimate the power of real discussion in showing us who these candidates truly are."

I was astounded. Granted, one must learn how to use the application, tell ‘it’ what you want to say in a few less than eloquent phrases, and presto what I wanted to have concisely express-- amazingly and almost instantly appeared.

Even so, I’m not sure exactly how I feel about AI. That is perhaps a subject for another day. What I am sure about is that live forums do capture that most human of acts: the synergy of candidates vying tirelessly for a community’s vote, and members of that community working selflessly to make it happen; and that gathering of live interaction looked and sounded as tangible as we would hope a working democracy to be.

Thank you Ms Yeager and The Eagle for covering The Grays River Grange Forum, that too is very much a democracy at work.

Sulema Zerr

in cooperation with Steven Hirst

Puget Island