Comelec eyes ban on AI, deepfakes

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to ban the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes during the campaign for the May 2025 midterm elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body would tackle the issue next week.

“I will convince our commission en banc to prohibit during the campaign period the use of AI and deepfakes, because many are confused and misrepresented, and untruths abound when these are used,” Garcia told reporters yesterday.

“We know modern technology. Why don’t we use it? However, when campaigning, you should be the one that is seen by the people,” he added.

The use of AI can be considered a threat to democracy and proper campaigning by candidates, according to the Comelec chief.

In a letter sent to the Comelec en banc, Garcia emphasized that there is growing concern on the threat of AI and deepfakes that could be used to sow deceit and misinformation among voters.

He noted that President Marcos himself, as well as other heads of states, have become victims of deepfake videos.

Deepfakes are synthetic media that have been digitally manipulated to replace a person’s likeness.

“The abuse of AI technology and deepfake videos undermine the integrity of the elections and the credibility of public officials, candidates and election management authorities,” Garcia said.

He added that deepfakes defeat the purpose of campaigning that is meant to truthfully inform the voting public about the elections and the candidates.

Garcia stressed that his letter to the poll body was a general request concerning a possible ban on the use of AI and deepfakes, but he said the commission gets feedback from its law department and its education and information department on what aspects of AI should be restricted during the campaign.

What is important at this time, he explained, is that the Comelec is taking measures to control wrongdoings during elections.

After banning the substitution of candidates in the national and local elections, the Comelec intends to impose a similar prohibition on party-list nominees who will participate in the next year’s elections.

Garcia said the poll body intends to require party-list