Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has issued an order instructing all members of the defense forces, including 163,000 troops, not to use artificial intelligence applications designed to create personal portraits. The directive, outlined in a memorandum, is intended to provide protection against potential security threats arising from the improper use of artificial intelligence-based tools that generate digital likenesses of actual individuals based on submitted photos.Teodoro expressed concerns about privacy and security issues, highlighting the risks of identity theft, social manipulation and fraud schemes such as phishing attacks.He pointed to documented instances of such abuse.All personnel in the defense and military sectors have an obligation to stop using AI-driven photo-generating applications, exercise vigilance when sharing information online, and adhere to DoD principles and policies.
Why is this important?
The move was motivated by concerns about potential security risks.By using AI to create fake profiles, malicious actors could engage in identity theft, social and phishing attacks.Ensuring the safety of military and defense personnel is critical to national security.The ban highlights broader concerns about the ethical and safety implications of artificial intelligence technology, sparking a discussion about responsible AI use and regulation.