THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is all for automation but not when it comes to candidates campaigning using artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes.
In an interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said he has proposed to the Commission en banc to “prohibit” the use of AI and deepfakes by national and local candidates during the campaign period.
In a memorandum addressed to the en banc, Garcia said the use of Al technology and deepfake videos undermines the integrity of the elections and the credibility of public officials, candidates, and election management authorities.
“The abuse of this technology in campaign materials, such as videos, audios, or other media forms, may amount to fraudulent misrepresentation of candidates,” he said.
He also said the general public deserves to be personally wooed by the candidates seeking their votes.
“When campaigning, you should be the one actually seen by the people. You should be the one personally wooing the voters. Don’t use this type of modern technology,” he said.
AI is defined as technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities.
Deepfake, on the other hand, is an image or recording that has been altered and manipulated in order to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done or said.
