This blog is a report from a workshop held in the Philippines on 12th April 2025, which explored the human rights risks posed by generative AI and deepfakes in the lead-up to the 2025 elections. Participants examined how these technologies are weaponized for disinformation and political repression and shared strategies to defend truth and democracy.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n This blog was written by our partner, <\/span>AlterMidya<\/span><\/a>, with contributions from the WITNESS team.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n As the 2025 Philippine midterm elections approach, the rise of generative AI and deepfakes has posed a serious threat to democratic integrity. In response, a workshop by WITNESS, in collaboration with AlterMidya, was held in April 2025\u2014just a month before the election\u2014to equip journalists, activists, and media workers with critical skills to identify, counter, and report on these digital threats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As AI-generated content becomes more accessible and convincing, its misuse has rapidly evolved into a powerful tool for manipulating public opinion, spreading disinformation, and undermining trust in electoral processes.<\/span><\/p>\n Arul Prakkash, WITNESS\u2019 Senior Program Manager for Asia and the Pacific, facilitated the program, commencing with questions on the participants\u2019 hopes and concerns on using generative AI tools. The quick sharing of responses manifested distress on the challenge of verifying the products of AI, as well as its accessibility and unclear ethics in its use. Moreover, the participants expressed their concerns about its potential to <\/span>accelerate fake news and spread harmful narratives<\/span><\/a>, especially in politically sensitive contexts. Examples of which have <\/span>previously been documented<\/span><\/a> in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n Generative AI platforms such as Sora, Runway, and Midjourney can now easily produce realistic photos, videos and audio. When exploited, these tools enable trolls and bad-faith actors to create disinformation at a large scale. Deepfakes, for example, have been used to fabricate endorsements, fake rallies and produce misleading campaign videos that are <\/span>difficult for the public to verify<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhy This Workshop Mattered<\/b><\/h3>\n
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