Comelec eyes banning use of AI, deepfake in Eleksyon 2025 campaign materials

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it is planning to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake in campaign materials for the 2025 midterm polls.

In a memorandum, Comelec chairperson George Garcia warned that AI and deepfake may be used to spread deceit and misinformation among voters and candidates for Eleksyon 2025.

AI is the simulation of human intelligence in machines or computers while deepfake is a digitally manipulated recording that shows fake images, audio and video hoaxes.

“The abuse of this technology in campaign materials such as videos, audios, or other media forms may amount to fraudulent misrepresentation of candidates,” Garcia said.

“This defeats the very purpose of a campaign, which is to fully and truthfully inform the voting public about the elections and the candidates,” he added.

Jamel Jacob, Foundation for Media Alternatives, Inc. (FMA) legal and policy advisory/coordinator, earlier urged the public to be more vigilant in the posts they see online as it may cause panic, disorder or war between countries.

The Comelec also urged Congress to create a measure allowing the poll body to regulate a candidate’s social media posts during campaign periods.  — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RSJ, GMA Integrated News