Stanford Used Generative AI to Alter Student Photo for Campus Banner
Stanford University's dining department used generative AI to replace a Hispanic student's photograph with a nonexistent Black woman in a campus promotional banner, violating the university's explicit AI policy. The university confirmed the violation and said it would provide additional staff training, but the affected student reported no apology or direct contact from officials.
What happened
Stanford University's Residential & Dining Enterprises used generative AI to alter a photograph of students taken at the 2024 Lunar New Year Dinner for use in campus promotional banners. The AI replaced the image of Hispanic male student Billy Ramirez with a nonexistent Black woman, while also slimming the faces of two other students (an Asian woman and white man) and changing all three students' clothing to Stanford merchandise.
The altered image was displayed on 'Welcome Home' banners at Governor's Corner student housing center and across campus. Ramirez discovered the change when a friend sent him the edited photo and stated that the banners have since been taken down.
Reported impact
Ramirez said he felt 'silenced and erased from a representation that was supposed to include me.' He initially found the alteration humorous but became upset at the university's willingness to alter his identity without consent or disclosure.
The incident sparked national controversy and media attention, with coverage from outlets including The New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle. Ramirez stated he was exhausted by the attention and did not want his legacy at Stanford to be defined by this incident.
Index analysis
The alteration violated Stanford's AI policy, which explicitly prohibits the use of AI to alter images of Stanford people, events, research, facilities or achievements. University spokesperson Charlene Gage confirmed that both the alteration and lack of disclosure violated university policy.
Governance controls
Stanford stated it is providing additional training for all staff and ensuring proper review of all materials going forward. School officials have not reported contacting Ramirez or offering an apology since the incident became public.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.