MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is pushing for a ban on using deepfakes and artificial intelligence (AI) technology in campaign materials for the 2025 midterm elections.
According to Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia, candidates should be truthful to their campaigns as using of AI technologies constitutes to misrepresentations.
“There should be truthful campaigning. I will convince the commission en banc to prohibit the use of deep fake and AI in campaigning because there are many who get confused,” Garcia said.
“In campaigning, you yourself should be the one who is seen by the people. You yourself should be the one wooing them,” the Comelec official added.
Deepfake technology refers to an image or recording that has been altered and manipulated to make it seem real.
“The abuse of AI technology and deepfake videos undermines the integrity of elections and the credibility of public officials, candidates, and election management authorities,” Garcia said.
“The abuse of this technology in campaign materials, such as videos, audios or other media forms, may amount to fraudulent misrepresentation of candidates,” he added.
Garcia further said that deepfakes and AI technology defeats the very purpose of a campaign, which is to fully and truthfully inform the voters about the elections and the candidates.
Garcia, however, said he is open to listening to his colleagues’ opinions on whether deepfakes and AI should be banned outright for campaign use./PN
