Suzy Wrack’s article in The Guardian highlights the creation of «Hope Sogni,» an AI-generated candidate challenging Gianni Infantino’s presidency at FIFA. This candidacy embodies a progressive approach, emphasizing the pivotal role of women in football decision-making, with the goal of promoting gender equality and transparency in sports. Hope Sogni (Sogni meaning dreams in Italian) harnesses the collective influence of influential women in football to challenge the existing power structures within FIFA.

However, several questions and considerations arise:

Why opt for an AI-generated candidate to confront Infantino?

The creation of Hope Sogni represents a challenge stemming from the absence of viable alternatives to Infantino’s presidency. Additionally, it seeks to advance a progressive stance and underscore the significance of women in football decision-making, thereby advocating for gender equality and transparency in sports.

Is it due to potential reprisals against the candidate, perceived as an attack on Infantino or FIFA?

Partially so. Hope Sogni’s candidacy, as an AI-created entity, can challenge FIFA’s power structures without fear of personal or professional reprisals, unlike what an actual individual might face.

Is it because utilizing an artificial entity would mitigate the impact on the egos of current leaders compared to if it were a real woman?

This aspect might hold relevance. The candidacy of an artificial entity could prevent a direct impact on the egos of existing leaders by presenting itself as a technology-driven alternative, rather than a personal challenge from a real woman, potentially reducing the impact on their pride and personal power.

Hope Sogni represents a tool to challenge entrenched power structures and showcases how technology can be used to question and confront these structures in football and other spheres of society.