Stanford University used AI to alter student photos without consent
Stanford University's Residential & Dining Enterprises used AI to alter student photographs in promotional materials, replacing a Hispanic male student with an AI-generated Black female and modifying the appearances of other students. The university acknowledged the alterations violated its AI policy prohibiting such modifications and removed the images.
What happened
Stanford Residential & Dining Enterprises used AI to alter photographs taken for campus advertisements. The original photo, taken at a Lunar New Year party in 2024, showed student Billy Ramirez and other students holding plates of food in a cafeteria setting.
In the altered version distributed in promotional materials, Ramirez, a Hispanic male student, was replaced with an AI-generated image of a Black woman. Two other students in the photo were not replaced but had their faces digitally slimmed down.
Reported impact
Ramirez said he felt "silenced and erased" when he discovered his identity had been changed without his consent. He stated: "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."
Index analysis
Stanford's AI policy explicitly prohibits the use of AI in producing or altering images of Stanford people, events, research, facilities, or achievements. A university spokesperson confirmed that "the alteration and lack of disclosure in this case violate that policy."
Governance controls
Stanford removed the altered image and its promotional materials after the violation was discovered. The university announced plans to provide additional staff training and implement proper review procedures for all materials to prevent future violations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.