Brazil's Electoral Authority Threatens To Disqualify Candidates Attacking Opponents With AI

Brazil's chief election authority, Alexandre de Moraes (photo: x @alexandre)

JAKARTA - Brazil's chief election authority, Alexandre de Moraes, insists that candidates in the upcoming munisipal elections must be careful in using artificial intelligence (AI) to attack their opponents.

In a statement on Wednesday, February 28, Moraes said that candidates who violate the rules and use AI negatively to harm political opponents can lose the right to run in elections or even face revocation of mandates if they have been elected.

"Prodidants who do not respect the rules and use artificial intelligence negatively to harm their opponents and twist the meaning of information to win the election, will face the lifting of their registrations and, if they have been elected, their mandate is lifted," Moraes said on Wednesday.

The comments came from an influential figure in protecting Brazilian democracy, especially after threats in the 2022 election by former President Jair Bolsonaro. Moraes became a global leader in fighting for election protection.

Brazilian election authorities have restricted the use of artificial intelligence in this year's munisipal elections. The resolution approved by the attorney general's office on Tuesday 27 February aims to counter the spread of disinformation, fake news, and manipulation during the election campaign which will take place in October.

The session also discusses other rules and regulations that will be implemented during the campaign period and voting. The move affirms the commitment to maintaining election integrity and ensuring a fair and transparent election process for the Brazilian people.