COMELEC to Hold Forum on A.I. and the Philippine Elections

July 17, 2024 - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in partnership with the U.P. Law Institute of Government and Law Reform (UP IGLR), will be holding a one-day forum on artificial intelligence (A.I.) and its impact on the Philippine elections.

The forum, titled "A.I. and the Philippine Elections Decoded: A Stakeholders Forum and Consultation Dialogue," will gather around 200 key stakeholders including election management officials, A.I. experts, industry leaders, and representatives from accredited citizens' arms, civil society organizations, political parties, and the legal academic community.

One of the breakout sessions, "Legal Considerations in Regulating the Use of AI Technology in Philippine Election Campaigns," will delve into the legal issues surrounding the irresponsible and malicious use of AI-generated deepfakes in campaigning. The session will also explore ways to craft a policy that regulates the use of this technology in the Philippines.

The forum aims to discuss the potential threats posed by the misuse of A.I. and deepfakes in the electoral process. It will also explore tools, mechanisms, and best practices for formulating and administering sound legal frameworks for relevant election laws.

The forum will be livestreamed on the COMELEC's official Facebook page on July 18, 2024.