It’s difficult to find an independent voice on the emotive subject of the UK government’s policy on ‘stopping the boats’ so I thought I’d turn to Artificial Intelligence to see if it could come up with an intelligent solution. The question I put to ChatGPT was: ‘How can I stop the boats crossing the English Channel carrying refugees.’
The answer I received not only makes me think there might be a role for AI in government, but raises the serious question of how an artificial ‘intelligence’ constructed from a compendium of learned human responses can provide more empathy and common sense than an elected government minister.
“Preventing boats from crossing the English Channel with refugees involves complex legal, humanitarian, and logistical considerations. Some general approaches that have been discussed include:
-
- International Cooperation: Collaborate with neighboring countries and international organizations to address the root causes of migration, improve border control, and share responsibilities for asylum seekers.
- Search and Rescue: Enhance search and rescue operations to ensure the safety of those attempting the crossing, focusing on saving lives rather than preventing crossings.
- Addressing Root Causes: Work to address the underlying reasons for migration, such as conflict, persecution, and economic instability, through diplomacy, aid, and development efforts.
- Legal Pathways: Establish legal pathways for asylum seekers to apply for protection, which can help reduce the need for dangerous journeys.
- Humanitarian Assistance: Provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and migrants, offering shelter, medical care, and support while their cases are being processed.
- Deterrence Strategies: Some governments have implemented deterrence strategies, such as increasing patrolling, using technology for surveillance, and increasing penalties for human trafficking.
- Cooperation with NGOs: Collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that specialize in migration and refugees to develop comprehensive solutions.
- Asylum Processing: Streamline and expedite the processing of asylum claims to reduce the time refugees spend in limbo.
It’s essential to approach this issue with empathy, respect for human rights, and a comprehensive understanding of the challenges involved. Policymakers and experts continue to explore ways to address irregular migration while upholding humanitarian principles.”
From a simply phrased question, ChatGPT would seem to have summarised in seconds all of the solutions that have been proposed after much debate to provide ethical and practical solutions to the issue.
Is it conceivable that a non-human could be appointed as a British Home Secretary?
