Important Takeaways:

• Environment Canterbury’s deputy chair, Cr Deon Swiggs, questions whether artificial intelligence (AI) could replace politicians as society debates its risks and benefits.
• ECan councilors voted to form an AI working group following a report prompted by Cr Joe Davies’ motion, aiming to explore AI’s potential in governance.
• Cr Swiggs suggests that advancing technology could allow people to vote directly on issues like rates spending via a phone app, reducing the need for traditional politicians.
• The article raises the idea of AI streamlining decision-making processes, potentially making governance more efficient and responsive to public input.
• It highlights broader discussions about AI’s role in society, with ECan taking steps to investigate its practical applications in local government.

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