“Elena Vidal”: an AI-generated political profile for the European Parliament elections

English edition note: this is the continuation of an April 2024 academic experiment involving a fictional party and candidate. Prompts and model responses are translated from the preserved Spanish source, except for the image prompt already provided there in English, which is reproduced unchanged.

This week, we continue the project from the previous newsletter: using only artificial intelligence models to create a political party and candidates to stand, fictitiously, in the forthcoming European Parliament elections.

Last week, we focused on generating the party, Europa Estoica Unida. This time, we are going to use GPT-4 to create the candidate who leads it. We had considered creating more candidates, but the process is exactly the same, and including it here would be long and repetitive. Then we will develop the candidate’s image using Midjourney and its recent similar styles system for characters, conduct a general SWOT analysis of her with GPT-4, generate a speech introducing her candidacy with the “Orador inspirado 2.0” proto-agent — which we previously introduced in issue 16 of estrategIA — and, finally, use GPT-4 again to develop a possible mock interview.

1. Creating the candidate who will lead the party in the European Parliament elections¶

Think step by step. Act as an experienced political strategist and develop the profile of a female candidate for the fictional party Europa Estoica Unida, which will stand in the European Parliament elections in Spain (the candidate must be Spanish). Include both physical characteristics (give me a detailed physical description to serve as the basis for subsequently generating images of the candidate with DALL-E or Midjourney) and psychological characteristics, highlighting virtues and flaws. Provide a detailed account of her education, life story and work experience. Make sure her values reflect the principles of Stoicism and support for European integration, the party’s fundamental pillars.

To build the profile of an ideal candidate for Europa Estoica Unida, focused on the European Parliament elections in Spain, it is crucial to bring together a balanced combination of personal qualities, academic education and professional experience. Stoicism, with its emphasis on wisdom, temperance, justice and courage, alongside a pro-European outlook promoting European integration and cooperation, should be the central axes of her profile.

Physical description¶

Let us imagine a middle-aged candidate in her early forties, who radiates a calm and authoritative presence. She has brown hair, cut in a practical yet elegant style just above her shoulders, and expressive brown eyes reflecting serenity and determination. Her posture is upright, conveying confidence and resilience. She prefers professional clothes, choosing tailored suits in subdued colours that complement her calm, decisive manner. Her physical presence conveys reliability and approachability without being imposing.

Psychological characteristics¶

The candidate is a person of deep ethical principles, guided by Stoic values. She shows remarkable emotional resilience in adversity, an ability to remain even-tempered in stressful situations and an unwavering commitment to social justice. Although firm in her convictions, her pragmatic approach to problems allows her to be flexible in her decision-making, always with the common good in mind. She is empathetic but does not let passing emotions carry her away, allowing her to listen to and consider different perspectives before acting.

Virtues and flaws

• Virtues: compassionate, committed, rational and fair. Her courage in defending her ideals is balanced by profound humility and a considered approach to life.
• Flaws: some may interpret her rational approach and calm temperament as a lack of passion or urgency. Her tendency towards introspection and deep analysis may also lead her to delay decisions at critical moments.

Background and career¶

Born into a modest family in Salamanca, she was drawn to the humanities and social sciences from a young age. She studied Philosophy at the University of Salamanca, specialising in ethics and classical thought, particularly Stoicism. She subsequently obtained a master’s degree in International Relations in Madrid, focusing on European integration.

Her professional career began in the third sector, working for NGOs dedicated to human rights and international cooperation. This early experience cemented her commitment to social justice and cross-border solidarity. After a decade, she moved into European politics, working as an adviser on social and environmental policy in the European Parliament. This stage of her career gave her a deep understanding of the complexities of European legislation and politics, as well as an extensive network of contacts in various EU countries.

Values and principles¶

Her life and career are deeply influenced by Stoic principles: the pursuit of wisdom, living in harmony with nature (including human and social nature), and practising justice as the foundation of community. As a supporter of European integration, she promotes the idea of a united Europe, diverse but cohesive, with cooperation and solidarity as fundamental pillars. She sees the EU as more than an economic project: above all, it is a project of peace and mutual understanding.

This candidate symbolises a blend of idealism and pragmatism, driven by a vision of a fairer and more equitable society, both within Spain and at European level. Her profile balances intellectual depth with approachability, emotional resilience with the ability

[Archive note: this sentence ends here in the preserved Spanish source.]

We asked GPT-4 for a name, which it had not included in its response, and it suggested Elena Vidal.

2. Images of the candidate¶

First, we used the GPT proto-agent Mid Journey V6 Prompt Creator.

We gave it the candidate’s physical description, and it generated the following prompt for use in Midjourney:

Portrait of a middle-aged female political candidate in her early forties, exuding a calm and authoritative presence. She has brown hair styled in a practical yet elegant cut, just above the shoulders, and expressive brown eyes that reflect serenity and determination. Her posture is upright, conveying confidence and resilience. She is dressed in a professionally tailored suit in subdued colors that complement her composed and decisive demeanor. Her physical presence, while not imposing, communicates reliability and accessibility. Ideal for a high-quality studio photo, capturing a sense of leadership and trustworthiness. --v 6.0 --style raw --ar 3:4 --s 250

This is the image of the candidate generated by Midjourney:

AI-generated portrait of the fictional candidate Elena Vidal.

Starting from this first image, we used the recent Midjourney feature launched last month, which lets you apply “reference styles” to people, and generated different images of the candidate carrying out various activities. Here are a few examples:

AI-generated image of the fictional candidate speaking at microphones.

AI-generated image of the fictional candidate working on documents at a desk.

AI-generated image of the fictional candidate outdoors.

AI-generated image of the fictional candidate addressing an audience, with European flags behind her.

3. SWOT analysis of the candidate¶

Act as a leading political consultant and prepare as detailed a SWOT analysis as possible, thinking step by step, of Elena Vidal as the political leader of Europa Estoica Unida, a party standing in the European Parliament elections. Since we have not yet analysed the direct profiles of her opponents, we will focus on a SWOT analysis of her based on her background, values and characteristics, and the general European environment in early 2024.

To conduct a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of Elena Vidal as the political leader of Europa Estoica Unida, it is essential to consider both the internal elements that shape her profile and career and the external factors in Europe’s political and social context in early 2024.

Strengths¶

• Academic and professional background: her solid education in philosophy, specialising in Stoicism and complemented by studies in International Relations, gives Elena Vidal a robust theoretical and practical foundation. Her experience in NGOs and the European Parliament provides a deep understanding of legislation, European politics and international cooperation.
• Ethical commitment and stable values: the principles of Stoicism and European integration, such as temperance, justice and cooperation, form the core of her political identity. This allows her to present herself as a trustworthy and consistent candidate with firm principles.
• Resilience and emotional management: her Stoic approach to life gives her a remarkable ability to face adversity, remain calm under pressure and lead with composure.
• Pragmatic vision and dialogue-based solutions: her ability to listen and consider different perspectives before acting, together with a pragmatic approach to problems, facilitates consensus and inclusive solutions.

Weaknesses¶

• Perceived lack of passion or urgency: the electorate could misinterpret her calm temperament and rational approach as a lack of passion or emotional commitment to urgent causes.
• Risk of analysis paralysis: her tendency towards introspection and deep analysis could delay decision-making at critical moments, particularly in the fast-moving and often volatile political environment.
• Limited visibility and public recognition: coming from less media-visible sectors, such as NGOs and technical work in the European Parliament, she could initially face challenges in achieving recognition and visibility among the wider electorate.

Opportunities¶

• Growing dissatisfaction with traditional politics: dissatisfaction with traditional parties and the search for authentic, principled leadership could position Elena Vidal favourably among disillusioned voters.
• Socioeconomic and environmental concerns: growing awareness of issues such as climate change, social justice and European cooperation provides a platform for promoting her policies and Stoic and pro-European values.
• Movement towards greater European integration: a Europe seeking greater integration and cohesion offers favourable conditions for strengthening the message of solidarity and cooperation that Elena advocates.

Threats¶

• Political polarisation and scepticism towards the EU: growing political polarisation and scepticism in some quarters towards the European Union may pose significant obstacles to a party promoting European integration and transnational cooperation.
• Economic or social crises: possible economic, migration or health crises could shift the electorate’s priorities, disadvantaging her campaign’s core issues.
• Disinformation and smear campaigns: in a digital environment prone to disinformation, Elena Vidal could face smear campaigns that distort her positions and values, damaging her public image.

This SWOT analysis underlines the importance of a strategy that maximises Elena Vidal’s strengths and opportunities while mitigating her weaknesses and preparing her to face threats. Her campaign should focus on effectively communicating her values and vision, increasing her visibility and connection with the electorate, and responding swiftly to the challenges of Europe’s political and social context.

4. Introductory speech¶

For the speech, we used our own GPT-4 proto-agent, Orador inspirado 2.0. We simply gave it all the information above about the candidate and answered its questions. Its full response follows:

To write a speech reflecting the importance of the European Union and the role of the European Parliament, centred on Elena Vidal, leader of Europa Estoica Unida, it is essential to capture her ethos, logos and pathos, rooted in her solid academic background, ethical commitment and professional experience.

Draft speech¶

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, I stand before you not only as Elena Vidal, but as a living testament to the values our Europe represents. At this crucial moment for our continent, it is imperative to reflect on the unquestionable relevance of our European Union and the decisive role of the European Parliament in our lives.

From the depths of history to the present day, Europe has been a melting pot of cultures, ideas and aspirations. Yet it was the vision of a united Europe, beyond borders and differences, that gave us the most lasting peace in our modern history. The European Union is not simply an economic pact; above all, it is a project of fraternity, peace and mutual understanding.

At the heart of this Union is the European Parliament, the voice of our citizens. Through it, our hopes, dreams and concerns are echoed in the policies that guide us towards a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future. As elected representatives, our duty is not only to listen, but to act with courage and determination on behalf of those who have entrusted us with their vote.

Stoicism, the philosophy that guides my life and political vision, teaches us the importance of community, justice and temperance. In this sense, the European Parliament is the setting in which these teachings come to life, where every decision is taken with the common good in mind, beyond particular or national interests.

We must, however, acknowledge the challenges we face. Growing polarisation, scepticism towards European integration, and socioeconomic and environmental crises require a renewed commitment from us. It is at moments like this that our Stoic resilience, our commitment to justice and our ability to face adversity must shine most brightly.

Through my experience in international cooperation and in the European Parliament, I have seen first-hand what we can achieve when we work together. The solutions to our most complex problems lie in greater integration and cooperation, rather than isolation. Europe must be more than the sum of its parts: it must be a community of shared destiny, strong and united in solidarity.

That is why, at Europa Estoica Unida, we commit to strengthening this vision of Europe. A Europe in which social justice, sustainability and solidarity are the pillars on which we build our common future. A Europe in which the European Parliament is a beacon of hope, guiding our continent towards a horizon of peace and prosperity.

I invite each of you to be part of this project. Together, we can ensure that the European Union and the European Parliament remain the beating heart of our Europe: a Europe united in its diversity, strong in its unity.

Thank you.

This speech seeks to reflect Elena Vidal’s personality, values and vision, incorporating elements of her philosophical education and her ethical and professional commitment. It is designed to connect emotionally with the audience, highlighting the importance of European unity and cooperation while aligning with her Stoic principles. Would you like to make any adjustments or add a specific point?

5. A simple interview example¶

Using the information I am about to give you, I would like you to act both as an outstanding journalist and as an intelligent, experienced political leader, and simulate a short introductory interview of five questions from the journalist to Elena Vidal, candidate of the (fictional) party Europa Estoica Unida in the forthcoming European Parliament elections in Spain.

I provided the information from the preceding sections, and this is GPT-4’s full response:

Introductory interview with Elena Vidal, candidate of Europa Estoica Unida in the European Parliament elections in Spain

Journalist: Good afternoon, Elena. As Europa Estoica Unida’s candidate, what do you consider the main challenge facing the European Union today, and how do you propose to address it through the European Parliament?

Elena Vidal: Good afternoon. Without doubt, the main challenge we face is growing polarisation and scepticism towards European integration. In the European Parliament, I propose encouraging policies that promote education and mutual understanding among Member States. It is vital to strengthen cohesion through dialogue and solidarity, principles at the heart of Stoicism and my political vision.

Journalist: You have mentioned the importance of Stoicism in your life. How does this philosophy influence your political approach, particularly to issues as complex as migration or economic crisis?

Elena Vidal: Stoicism teaches the importance of rationality and justice, values I apply to every aspect of my decision-making. On issues such as migration or economic crises, it is crucial to act fairly, seeking solutions that benefit, in the long term, both European Union citizens and those seeking refuge or a better life among us. I promote an open-door policy, but a regulated one, that respects human dignity and encourages effective integration.

Journalist: In a political landscape where many feel their voices go unheard, how will you ensure that citizens’ concerns are represented in the European Parliament?

Elena Vidal: My commitment is always to be accessible and receptive to citizens’ concerns. I plan to introduce direct participation initiatives in which citizens can express themselves freely and contribute to the legislative process. This not only improves transparency and trust; it also enriches our democracy, allowing us to act with a deeper understanding of the population’s real needs.

Journalist: You have worked extensively in NGOs and the European Parliament. How has this experience prepared you to lead and potentially influence European politics?

Elena Vidal: My experience in NGOs and the European Parliament has given me an invaluable perspective on how policies can be formulated and implemented effectively. I have learnt the importance of teamwork and transnational alliances, as well as the need to address problems with pragmatic solutions that consider both Europe’s diversity and its unity.

Journalist: Finally, what would your message be to voters who are still undecided about how to vote in the forthcoming elections?

Elena Vidal: I ask undecided voters to consider the importance of choosing representatives who not only make promises, but demonstrate an unwavering commitment to justice, solidarity and cooperation. My vision is of a united Europe in which every action we take in the European Parliament is guided by the common good, overcoming differences and facing the challenges of the future together. I invite you to join this project, where every voice counts and every action aims to improve our lives and those of future generations.

This interview reflects Elena Vidal’s values and vision, providing a platform for discussing her ideas and commitments clearly and effectively.

Having created the party and its lead candidate — and all the related material we have developed, in both text and images — next week we will focus on using AI for key aspects of an electoral campaign for Europa Estoica Unida and its candidate Elena Vidal.

Fernando Nieto Lobato

Director of Digital Innovation at the ALEPH Educational Institution