Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to study and formulate policies regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-aided election campaign and propaganda materials.

Go pointed out mobile apps that change the facial features of a candidate may violate the principles of truthfulness.

“Ako po ay nananawagan sa (I call on the) Comelec to study formulating policies on AI, as applications can change facial features which may violate the principle of truthfulness,” Go said in an interview during his visit to Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

Go reiterated truth and transparency is important during elections.

“Ang karapatan na bumoto, very sacred yan. Ibig sabihin, ating karapatan yan. Iisang boto at dapat po ang iboboto nila ayon sa kanilang pagkakaalam sa katotohanan lamang po (The right to vote is very sacred. It is our right. You have one vote and that vote should be based on what is true),” he added.

“Importante dito ay transparency (Transparency is important here),” he pointed out.

This in order to shield voters from fraud, Go said the Comelec should look into the propriety of using AI-assisted campaign materials.

“So dapat po pag aralan ng mabuti kung baka gagamitin ito sa panlilinlang or panloloko or kasinungalingan, ay hindi po ako sang ayon dyan. Dahil tayo always the truth (So we should study this carefully because this can be used to deceive or be used for propaganda; I don’t agree with it. Because we are always on the side of truth),” he pointed out.

Aside from Go, Sen. Francis Tolentino had also made a similar call to Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay.

Bulay, however, said the possibility of using misrepresentation through AI could become a criminal liability or violation and a basis for the possible cancellation of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC).