ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Georgia gubernatorial candidates are tasked with winning over the more than 11 million residents of the Peach State. To connect with that many people would be a challenge for anyone. One Republican candidate has an innovative approach to tackling that challenge.

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Clark Dean is turning to artificial intelligence in an effort to connect more directly with voters across the state.

Clark Dean has created the “Dean Machine,” an AI tool that allows voters to ask questions online and receive answers based on how Dean would respond.

“It also gives me an opportunity to see what they’re asking, to understand what they care about,” Dean said. “I have had so many heartfelt conversations with people through Dean Machine.”

Voters can go online and ask any questions they want. The machine provides answers based on Dean’s positions, allowing voters to get responses anytime.

Dean said the idea came from wanting to reach more people during his campaign.

“The best thing about the campaign is actually getting out and meeting real people,” Dean said. “What I realized is that I can’t be in every room. So this idea is how can we create something that would literally allow anybody to communicate with me both ways.”

Answers from the Dean Machine are being updated by Dean as voters ask different questions. He said he believes more politicians will use similar technology as AI evolves.

“I really believe it’s a powerful technology that I believe is going to allow this campaign, and certainly future campaigns, to connect with people at scale,” Dean said. “What I’m trying to do is say, ‘This is me, my authentic self. Let’s create a new level of transparency with people to let them see who am I really, what do I really think about all these things.’”

Dean is just one of 15 candidates running for Georgia’s highest office. Early voting for the May primary is open now, and Election Day is Tuesday, May 19.

Current Gov. Brian Kemp is term limited. One Democrat and one Republican will go on compete again in November. The candidates are listed below:

Republicans:

• Attorney General Chris Carr (R)
• Clark Dean (R)
• Rick Jackson (R)
• Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R)
• Gregg Kirkpatrick (R)
• Brad Raffensperger (R)
• Thomas Williams (R)
• Ken Yasger (R)

>> LEARN MORE ABOUT GEORGIA’S REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES <<

Democrats:

• Keisha Lance Bottoms (D)
• Olu Brown (D)
• Amanda Duffy (D)
• Geoff Duncan (D)
• Jason Esteves (D)
• State Rep. Derrick Jackson (D)
• Michael Thurmond (D)

WALB is reaching out to other republican candidates regarding their stance on using AI in their campaigns. We will add their responses to this article as they come in.

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