A groundbreaking artificial intelligence experiment is unfolding in the Philippines, where a remote island is attempting to operate under the full governance of an AI system. Sensay, a small 3.6-kilometer-long island in the Palawan archipelago, has belonged since 2025 to British entrepreneur Dan Thomson, founder of a company specializing in AI chatbot systems.
Thomson aims to transform Sensay into a microstate governed by a council of 17 AI-powered robots. Each member of the council has been designed around historical figures renowned for their wisdom and leadership, including Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt, Marcus Aurelius, Nelson Mandela, Leonardo da Vinci, Sun Tzu and Mahatma Gandhi.
These digital “replicas” have been trained using the writings, speeches and philosophical teachings of the real historical figures. Their purpose is to debate, argue and vote on proposals for the island’s constitution.
Experimental Governance With Human Oversight
Although Thomson believes the system can function effectively, he acknowledges the risk that artificial intelligence could evolve beyond its original design. For now, the council’s decisions are implemented through human intermediaries, while future plans include linking the AI “ministers” to bank cards and cryptocurrencies.
The island’s economy is based on two forms of tokens: Wisdom-Credits for public services and SNSY Tokens for international trade. However, allowing software to hire and pay workers without human approval is considered highly risky and could potentially lead to costly mistakes.
Speaking to CNN Travel, Thomson joked that “if it starts acquiring weapons and attacking neighboring islands, that would be a bad situation,” though he added that he considers such a scenario “extremely unlikely.”
Digital Citizenship and Development Plans
To ensure human oversight, a Human Override Assembly has been created, consisting of nine elected residents who can overturn decisions made by the digital council. Although the project has not received international recognition, more than 12,000 people have already expressed interest in becoming e-residents of Sensay.
At present, only one person lives on the island, but Thomson plans to build up to 30 villas in order to turn Sensay into a tourist destination for visitors to Palawan.
Physical settlement on the island will happen gradually, beginning with the issuance of “Observer Visas” for those wishing to monitor the project’s development. In 2026, the island is expected to introduce sustainable micro-energy grids and research laboratories, while 2027 is projected to mark the launch of the full digital citizenship program powered entirely by renewable energy.
Source: CNN Travel
