MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros raised alarm over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in producing synthetic pornography and child sexual abuse materials, warning that the technology is intensifying risks to women and children online.

In her opening statement during the Senate Committee on Women hearing, Hontiveros cited research by Sensity AI showing that 95 percent of AI-generated deepfakes are pornographic, with 90 percent targeting women and children.

“The potential scale in the creation of AI-generated non-consensual and abusive materials is unprecedented. Nakakalula ang bilis at lawak ng pagkalat ng AI, ngunit mas nakakatakot ang bilis at lawak ng pang-aabuso nito,” Hontiveros said.

She noted that even young boys are increasingly vulnerable, citing a 2024 report from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which revealed cases of financial sextortion using AI-generated images.

“Ngayon, kahit ang simpleng pag-upload ng inosenteng family picture ay pwedeng maging paraan kung paano makuha ng mga perpetrator ang imahe nyo para gamitin sa paggawa ng explicit AI deepfake video o synthetic pornography,” Hontiveros warned.

The senator said perpetrators like recently arrested American fugitives Thomas Scheuer and Stephen Geoffrey Lund could be using emerging technologies to expand their illicit activities.

“As bad actors have learned to evolve and become more sophisticated in their abuse, so must we become better in assisting victim survivors in their quest for justice,” Hontiveros stressed.

The Senate panel is also reviewing proposed amendments to the Safe Spaces Act to address online abuse, including AI-driven exploitation.