Comelec taps committee to study proposed AI, ‘deepfake’ use in next year’s elections

The Commission on Elections led by chairman George Garcia along with the Manila government remove illegally placed campaign materials along Oraquieta cor. Recto Avenue on October 20, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Commission on Elections has already referred the proposed prohibition of artificial intelligence (AI) and "deepfake" use in next year's election period, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said Thursday.

“The AI and deepfake issue was referred to the Committees on Digital Transformation and kontra fake news,” Garcia said when asked about what was decided by the Commission en Banc in their Wednesday meeting.

Garcia has been raising his position to prohibit would-be candidates of the 2025 elections from using AI and deepfake technology, with the stand that said technology would only further worsen the “fake news” and disinformation problems in the country especially during elections.

Comelec chief eyes ban on use of AI, deepfakes in 2025 polls

The Elections chief maintains that voters must see the true identity and image of candidates sans technological help.

Garcia likewise shared a copy of his signed Memorandum No. 2024-0795 dated June with the Commission en Banc tapping the Committee on Environmentally Sustainable Elections.

The committee "shall study and propose measures that will minimize the environmental impact of campaign activities, such as rallies and sorties, and the production and eventual disposal of campaign materials."

Garcia in a text statement said that part of the committee's task is to also consult the public.

"Consultation with stakeholders (will be made), Garcia said when asked for the panel's function.

“To conduct public consultations and to draft the policy guidelines concerning this matter for approval by the en banc,” he added in a text message.

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