TSE rules on case of AI-generated Bolsonaro video, and ministers should maintain ban on deepfakes

The Superior Electoral Court rules on Tuesday on an action presented by the PT against the display of a video produced with artificial intelligence that simulated a demonstration by former President Jair Bolsonaro during the PL convention. The ruling is considered one of the Court's main tests on the use of artificial intelligence in this year's elections and may help establish the limits of what will be considered a deepfake in the campaign. Court members assess that, regardless of the outcome of the specific case, the TSE should preserve as a general rule the prohibition on the use of deepfakes in electoral campaigns when the content has the capacity to deceive the voter. The main division among the ministers is on the application of this rule to the video displayed at the PL convention. Ministers heard on background point to two factions in the plenary. One faction defends the application of a fine, under the understanding that the material qualifies as a deepfake and could lead part of the audience to believe it to be true.