The Philippine government filed a formal protest against China Daily after the state-owned media outlet posted an AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys [1].
The incident escalates diplomatic tensions between the two nations, as Manila views the imagery not as a technical error but as a targeted attack on national dignity [2].
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro led the response and said the content was racist and demeaning [1]. The video, which was shared on Facebook, used artificial intelligence to create animations that portrayed Filipino people as primates [3].
According to government officials, the imagery is a violation of basic diplomatic respect, and an affront to the Filipino people [2]. The Philippine government has demanded that China Daily remove the video immediately [1].
This clash occurs amid a broader pattern of friction between the two countries regarding territorial claims and regional influence. The use of AI to generate derogatory political content represents a new frontier in the information warfare between the neighboring states [3].
Manila officials said the video is an unacceptable display of racism [2]. The government continues to press for a formal apology and the deletion of the content from all social media platforms [1].
“The Philippine government filed a formal protest against China Daily after the state-owned media outlet posted an AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys.”
This incident highlights the intersection of generative AI and state-sponsored disinformation. By using AI to create dehumanizing imagery, state-owned media can bypass traditional editorial safeguards to incite nationalist sentiment or demean diplomatic rivals, further destabilizing relations in the South China Sea region.
