The defense panel of Vice President Sara Duterte objected on Monday to the prosecution’s use of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images to illustrate what P125 million in cash would look like during the 16th day of her impeachment trial.
Defense spokesperson lawyer Michael Poa questioned the accuracy of the AI-generated images, saying they may not faithfully depict the actual appearance or volume of the money involved.
The prosecution used simulated props and AI-generated imagery while questioning former Office of the Vice President special disbursing officer Gina Acosta about the withdrawal of P125 million in cash on Dec. 20, 2022.
Acosta testified that she and a colleague were responsible for withdrawing the amount.
‘We just had to really register our objection since alam naman natin ang AI sometimes does not really depict yung totoong itsura ng mga bagay,’ Poa said in a press briefing.
During the trial, private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan presented an AI-generated image to Acosta and asked her to compare it with the cash she had handled, prompting defense counsel Lindon Miguel Bacquel to object.
Ligutan later showed another AI-generated image depicting the money inside four bags after Acosta testified that she had brought four bags to carry the cash.
Poa said Bacquel was correct in maintaining the defense’s objection to the use of the images.
‘They just wanted to show some graphics para maipakita ang gusto nila, that’s why they want to use AI. Sa ngayon na-note naman ang aming continuing objection so that is enough for now,’ Poa said.