Italian town appoints AI-generated councillor to government in European first

A small Italian town has made history by appointing an AI-generated member to its government council, igniting debate over the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in politics.

Local officials in the ancient spa town of Acqui Terme said it is the first in Europe to give a seat at the council table to an AI system. The AI council member, named Eva Statiella, is responsible for portfolios ranging from digital transition to AI itself, and even the “humanization” of local government. As supporters and skeptics watch, Eva’s seat at the table is becoming a test for how AI could shape public life in Europe.