A minor Japanese political party has named an artificial intelligence (AI) system as its new leader, following the resignation of its human founder after poor election results, AFP reported on Tuesday.
The “Path to Rebirth” party, launched in January by Shinji Ishimaru, a former mayor, said the unconventional step marks the start of a new chapter for the group. Ishimaru quit after failing to secure a breakthrough in recent polls.
Party member Koki Okumura, a doctoral researcher in artificial intelligence, told reporters: “The new leader will be AI.” He described himself as an assistant to the system, which is expected to take up leadership duties in the coming days.
The party currently has no formal policy platform, with members free to pursue their own agendas. Its experiment with AI leadership comes at a time when political organisations worldwide are exploring new ways to engage with voters, though critics have questioned the practicality of relying on algorithms for decision-making.
The announcement follows global headlines made last week by Albania, which became the first country to appoint an AI-generated cabinet member. Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced Dela, a virtual “digital minister” responsible for overseeing government contracts as part of anti-corruption efforts.
While Albania’s initiative is a state-level experiment, Japan’s move marks the first known case of a political party appointing AI to its top leadership role. Analysts say both cases highlight growing interest in how AI might reshape governance, though significant ethical, legal, and accountability questions remain.
