Department of Informational and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy on Monday, Aug. 5, warned that artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology will be used to scam and hoax voters come elections.
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy (Photos from Pixabay, Presidential Communications Office)
“I have no doubt it will be utilized,” he stressed during the first episode of “Malacañang Insider” hosted by Palace press briefer Daphne Oseña-Paez.
“You know, elections sometimes can be extremely dirty ‘no. And you know, there are candidates who will resort to nothing. Less than full domination ‘no, of their cost to be elected and so there will definitely…that’s’ why but can only launch it on social media platforms,” he added.
Social media platforms, Uy lamented, are being used not only to disseminate information but to spread disinformation or misinformation as well.
He also called out the lack of legislations, resources, and fundings to fight the use of technology to create and proliferate fake information on social media and in private chat groups such as in Viber.
“It’s something that is unregulated and something that is open and free, which was really the very designed of what the internet was supposed to be, open and free,” he explained.
“But then now, you seeing that this openness and this freedom has led to a lot of good things, but it’s also being exploited by the various actors ‘no, that has evil intentions,” the official added.
Emphasizing the need to be “more agile than the cyber criminals,” Uy disclosed the DICT has been requesting for special funds to, for example, procure or provide safe havens for informers.
“I mean without those special funds, we will not be able to respond quickly enough to this,” he added.
“And, you know the cyber criminals move extremely fast, they very, very fast. So, we are stymied by many of the rules that are [unclear] ‘no, in standard utilization of government funds.”
“Otherwise, you know, we cannot the fight the battle, where our hands are always tied and there’s a knot . . . Yes, we need that kind of support from our legislators,” the official stressed.
The lack of funds to address the threat of cyberattacks and disinformation online has also led to the resignation of personnel from the DICT’s cyber security group.
“Because they’re pirated by the private sectors, who pays them double or triple what government pays them. So, how can we now be effective in securing, if we cannot afford to keep our people because we are not paying them enough,” Uy bemoaned.