The Philippines is set to launch Sensay Island, the world's first nation governed entirely by artificial intelligence. This ambitious project, initiated by the British startup Sensay, aims to explore AI-assisted governance by populating its leadership with digital replicas of influential historical figures. Located in the West Philippine Sea province of Palawan, Sensay Island spans 3.4 square kilometers and features a tropical climate with an average temperature of 26°C.
The island's governance structure will comprise a digital cabinet composed of AI models trained on the philosophies and works of historical leaders. Marcus Aurelius will serve as President, Winston Churchill as Prime Minister, and Nelson Mandela as Minister of Justice. Eleanor Roosevelt will act as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Florence Nightingale as Minister of Health, among other historical figures. The project is slated for a four-year development, with key milestones including island acquisition and charter ratification in 2025, the launch of a sustainable energy grid and opening to observers in 2026, the arrival of the first residents and declaration of an Ecological Sanctuary in 2027, and the hosting of the Global Symposium on AI Governance in 2028.
Sensay's founder, Dan Thomson, stated that the project aims to restore public trust in governance by blending AI with timeless principles and historical wisdom. Citizens and visitors can engage with the digital cabinet through an online platform, proposing policies that are then debated and voted upon by the AI replicas, promoting transparency and citizen involvement. The initiative is supported by a collaboration with the ASI Alliance, integrating the ASI:One model to enhance AI autonomy and decision-making. The ASI Alliance is a coalition of advanced Web3 AI projects, including Fetch.ai, SingularityNET, and Ocean Protocol, focused on creating a decentralized, ethical, and collaborative AI ecosystem.
While the concept of AI governance offers potential benefits such as streamlined administrative processes and improved efficiency, critical considerations such as accountability, transparency, and the potential for bias remain. Sensay Island's venture serves as a living laboratory for exploring the complex interplay between technology, ethics, and governance in the 21st century.