Electoral Court to approve rules for AI use in elections
The Superior Electoral Court in Brasília is expected to approve a resolution this year regulating the use of Artificial Intelligence in October's municipal elections. The date for voting on the resolution has not yet been set, however a public hearing on the rules will be held by the end of the month.
The Electoral Court aims to ban the use of manipulated voices and images, known as deep fakes, that spread disinformation to undermine the fairness of elections and disseminate negative propaganda against candidates and parties on social media and in electoral campaigns.
Its goal is to prevent the spread of these manipulated montages, created by Artificial Intelligence applications to deceive with false statements from candidates and authorities involved in the election process.
Accountability
As per the court's draft resolution, platforms will bear the responsibility of removing false content. Upon notification, providers must take action to eliminate the material from the internet and conduct thorough investigations into the source of the publication. Additionally, platforms must refrain from promoting posts containing misinformation.
Under the initial rules, manipulating content could be punishable by between two months and a year in prison, as well as a fine.
Fact-checking agencies cooperating with the court will have the authority to classify content as false, true, or out of context.
The public hearing, scheduled between January 23 and 25, will be led by Justice Cármen Lúcia, who will preside over the Superior Electoral Court during the October municipal elections for mayors, deputy mayors, and councillors.
