Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday announced that he filed a bill seeking to criminalize the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) to spread false information, damage reputations, and promote fraudulent investment schemes.
“Used properly, AI could serve as a powerful tool for education, business, and other fields for improving productivity, research, and finding solutions to complex problems… However, the reality is that AI is being exploited by some to cause personal harm or undermine public trust,” Escudero said.
Senate Bill 782, or the proposed “Physical Identity Protection Act,” aims to penalize the creation and distribution of AI-generated content that simulates a person’s physical features without their consent.
Escudero warned that without clear regulations, the malicious use of AI will continue to proliferate and harm unsuspecting individuals. He pointed out that politicians and business figures are often depicted endorsing dubious products or investments using unauthorized AI-generated images.
Under the bill, individuals found guilty of generating or sharing such content face one to two years in prison or a fine of up to P200,000, or both.
If the unauthorized content is intended for financial gain, the penalty increases to two to four years in prison or a fine between P200,000 and P400,000, or both. For content used to facilitate or commit crimes or fraud, the proposed punishment rises to four to six years in prison or a fine ranging from P400,000 to P600,000, or both.
If the AI content is used both for profit and to commit fraud or crime, offenders may face up to 12 years in prison or a fine of P600,000 to P1 million, or both.
Public officials or employees found guilty of such offenses will also face absolute perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
The bill includes exemptions for media, educational institutions, and researchers who use AI-generated content in good faith for factual reporting or public interest documentation.
“These interventions provide the government with the wherewithal to address emerging threats, ensure accountability in the use of AI technologies, and promote creativity and innovation without compromising personal rights and liberties, legitimate speech, journalism and news coverage, academic and educational research, documentary and historical pieces, and other similar works,” Escudero concluded.
