Scam Watch co-founder Art Samaniego Jr. has raised the alarm over the growing ease and danger of creating artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos, calling on the public, social media platforms, and the government to take the threat seriously.
“Ang galing na ngayon ng AI generator…Ngayon sa pamamagitan ng text, ita-type mo na lang, siya na ang mag-generate ng video,” Samaniego explained in an interview with DZRH Dos Por Dos on Tuesday, June 17.
“Ang bilis ngayon gumawa ng fake video o ng video,” he said, describing how creating deep fake videos has become alarmingly easy.
He explained AI generators pull data from the internet to fabricate realistic-looking videos, often based on vague prompts.
“Ang ginagawa ng AI, nagge-generate siya, kumukuha siya ng impormasyon sa internet din. So kapag sinabi mong halimbawa create a video of a Filipino student, maghahanap siya ng mga mukha na kahawig ng mga Pilipino,” he stated.
While the characters in these videos may not be real people, Samaniego stressed they often resemble someone who exists.
“Hindi talaga tao ‘yun, pero siguro mayroon talaga siyang magiging kamukha. Ang ginagawa kasi ng ibang AI-generator, puwede kang mag-upload ng picture mo at ‘yun ang gagayahin,” he added, noting how AI generate and works.
Samaniego warned that AI-generated content, especially fake videos, poses a serious threat to society.
"Nakakatakot ito, mayroon itong banta sa society natin. Una, maaari itong gamitin para manira ng reputasyon ng tao o ng opisyal,” he emphasized.
He cited the recent incident where Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte shared an AI-generated video on Facebook, supposedly showing students protesting the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The video has since raised concerns over disinformation.
“Mukhang may problema tayo sa logic ni Sen. Bato Dela Rosa. Paano kung gamitin iyon sa kaniya?” Samaniego said, when Dela Rosa urged the public to focus on the substance of online posts rather than their origin, amid growing discussions about AI-generated content on social media.
“Public official ka, dapat mag-isip ka muna kung ano ang mga isha-share mo sa social media dahil maraming naniniwala sa iyo,” he urged public officials to think before sharing unverified content.
Meanwhile, Malacañang on Monday, June 16 has also reminded government officials to exercise caution and responsibility when posting online.
The Palace stressed that disinformation, especially when it comes from government officials, significantly erodes public trust.
According to Samaniego, AI-generated videos are designed to trigger emotions such as anger, fear, sympathy, making the users more likely to be shared.
“Maraming naniniwala sa ganito kasi ginawa ito para mag-trigger ng emotion: galit, takot, awa. Kung ito ‘yung paniniwala, automatic ‘yan, sine-share mo agad,” he explained.
‘Facebook Meta should be accountable’
Samaniego revealed he was once a victim of an AI-generated scam himself.
When he reported it to Facebook, he was told the content didn’t violate Meta’s standards.
“Kumakalat ang mga fake news na ‘yan at AI-generated video sa Facebook. May kakayahan ang Facebook na i-flag ‘yan na AI ‘yan—bakit hindi nila ginagawa?” he questioned.
He argued that Facebook, now under Meta, should be held accountable for the spread of AI-generated disinformation.
“Dapat makialam ang gobyerno dito at maging accountable ang Meta o ang Facebook sa ginagawa nila [pagkalat ng AI-generated video],” Samaniego calling the government to take actions.
He also called on celebrities and high-profile personalities who have been victimized to speak up.
“Dapat nagreklamo ang mga sikat na nabiktima ng ganito sa Meta dahil malaking laban ito. Kasi sa ibang bansa, naparusahan ang Meta dahil sa paggamit ng mga celebrity sa mga scam at illegal activities,” he said.
Furthermore, Samaniego lamented the government’s slow action in regulating AI and social media platforms.
Despite the growing use of AI in disinformation and scams, he pointed out the country still lacks formal regulation or policy.
“Hanggang ngayon wala pa ring regulation tungkol dito, ‘yung social media nga wala pa rin,” Samaniego added.
As the country moves closer to the 2028 elections, Samaniego fears AI will be used as a powerful weapon in political propaganda.
“Sa election 2028, pagandahan ng AI ito, magagamit ang AI,” he warned.
With deep fake threats becoming more sophisticated, Samaniego urged the public to stay vigilant and verify sources before believing or sharing videos online.
“Dapat ang gawin ng mga tao, lalo na kapag sensitive materials, dapat i-check ‘yung source ng video—kung galing ‘to sa verified account o verified media. So dapat i-verify mo. Kapag galing lang sa kung sino-sino, mag-double source tayo,” he stressed.
