Stanford University has removed AI-altered promotional photos after acknowledging they violated the institution’s artificial intelligence policy. The images, which were used in campus banners, had been digitally modified to change the race and appearance of students, prompting an apology from the university.
The controversy began when The Stanford Review, a student-run newspaper, reported that an AI-generated image replaced a Hispanic male student with a Black female student and altered the body types of the remaining two students. The original photo, taken in a university dining hall, showed three students holding plates. The altered version was used by Stanford Residential & Dining Enterprises in its advertising materials, including welcome banners displayed around campus.
In a statement, Stanford confirmed the images violated its AI policy and called the alteration “a serious error in judgment.” The university did not provide further details on corrective actions beyond removing the banners.
Billy Ramirez, the Hispanic student who was removed from the altered image, told The Stanford Review that he initially found the situation humorous but later expressed distress over his exclusion. “Seeing my identity changed and being left out of the picture made me feel, in a way, silenced and erased from a representation that was supposed to include me,” he said. Ramirez did not respond to requests for additional comment.
Garret Molloy, editor-in-chief of The Stanford Review, suggested the alterations may have been an attempt to artificially project diversity. “In the past, we did that with college photographers going around campus and trying to find a diverse friend group,” he told NBC News. The altered banners were reportedly taken down on Wednesday.
Stanford’s AI Principles and Policy, adopted in 2023, prohibit the use of AI to misrepresent individuals or groups. The policy outlines ethical guidelines for AI applications, including prohibitions on deepfakes and unauthorized alterations of personal likenesses. The university has not indicated whether disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible for the alterations.
The incident follows broader discussions about the ethical use of AI in media and institutional communications. Critics argue that AI-generated imagery can distort representation, while proponents highlight its potential for creative and inclusive applications when used transparently. Stanford’s response underscores the challenges universities face in balancing innovation with ethical standards in digital media.