The Philippine defense chief, Gilberto Teodoro Jr., has taken the step of ordering the country’s entire military, comprising 163,000 members, to discontinue the use of digital applications that employ artificial intelligence (AI) to generate personal portraits.
Furthermore, the defense chief raised concerns about the security risks posed by such applications. The directive was issued in an October 14 memorandum, and it comes at a time when the Philippine military is actively addressing long-standing issues like communist and Muslim insurgencies while also protecting territorial interests in the South China Sea, which has been a source of disputes.
The decision is a response to the potential security risks associated with AI-powered apps that create digital personas mimicking the speech and movements of real individuals. These apps have raised concerns as they can be exploited for malicious purposes, including identity theft, social engineering, phishing attacks, and other illicit activities. In fact, there have already been reports of such cases.
To mitigate these risks, Defense Secretary Teodoro has ordered defense and military personnel to abstain from using AI photo generator applications. Additionally, he has emphasized the importance of practicing vigilance when sharing information online, aligning with the values and policies of the Philippines Defense Department.
While the memorandum has been confirmed by the Department of National Defense, it has not disclosed the specific reasons that led to the prohibition. However, the move underscores the evolving concerns surrounding AI applications and their potential misuse, particularly in military and security contexts, prompting preemptive measures to safeguard national interests and security.
