Ottawa Engineer Develops Controversial MAGA Bot with AI Tech

A 24-year-old software engineer from Ottawa, Saihajpreet Singh, has created a political bot named CityDeskNYC that generates over 1,000 posts daily on the social media platform X. The bot primarily targets Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, criticizing his policies while promoting his opponents. Singh’s work has sparked discussions about the role of artificial intelligence in political discourse, especially given that he operates from Canada, far from the New York City electoral scene.

Singh, who graduated from Carleton University in 2021, is not new to the world of AI-driven social media. He previously developed another bot, DOGEai, which boasts around 127,000 followers and posts approximately 2,000 times each day. This bot has gained attention for its right-leaning political messages, often promoting Donald Trump and drawing engagement from notable figures like Elon Musk. Singh’s bots represent a growing trend in leveraging AI for political public relations.

AI Bots in Political Strategy

While Singh claims to be a “technologist” rather than a propagandist, his bots have largely targeted progressive politicians and supported conservative figures. He argues that AI has the potential to revolutionize public relations across the political spectrum. “I do not discriminate,” Singh stated, emphasizing that his technology can assist any campaign willing to engage with it.

Singh developed DOGEai during the latter half of President Joe Biden‘s term to provide a humorous take on complex legislative issues, initially breaking down a lengthy spending bill introduced in 2024. The bot quickly gained traction, reaching millions of impressions daily. Singh noted that even the sitting president retweeted content from DOGEai, showcasing the bot’s wide reach.

Operating these bots comes at a cost, with Singh estimating his monthly expenses at around $9,000 to $10,000. Despite facing backlash, including racist comments and death threats, he continues to explore opportunities across various social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram. Singh believes that AI-driven bots serve as valuable tools for public relations teams, enabling messages to reach broader audiences efficiently.

Global Interest and Future Ventures

Singh reported receiving inquiries from political campaigns and public relations firms interested in utilizing his technology. “There’s interest from every part of the world,” he noted, highlighting the potential for AI bots to reshape political communication globally.

His work aligns with findings from researchers at Clemson University, who identified a network of over 680 AI-generated bot accounts on X that supported Trump’s agenda during the lead-up to the last presidential election. Singh’s projects reflect a broader trend of integrating AI into political strategy, raising questions about ethical implications and the future of political engagement through technology.

As the landscape of political communication evolves, Singh’s innovations demonstrate both the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in shaping public discourse. As he continues to develop his bots, the conversation around their role in politics will likely intensify.