From Futurism · Frank Landymore · · 1m 30s
Stanford's AI Swapped Out a Real Student for a Fake Black Woman
The university edited a dining hall photo to replace a Hispanic student with a nonexistent Black woman, violating its own AI policies.
In brief
The university edited a dining hall photo to replace a Hispanic student with a nonexistent Black woman, violating its own AI policies. AI-generated diversity in marketing materials can erase real people and create false representations, even when institutions have policies against it. Originally reported by Futurism.
Stanford swapped a real student for AI fake
The university used AI to replace Hispanic student Billy Ramirez with a nonexistent Black woman in a dining hall photo, then posted it on campus banners.
“I love this school, but I don't love when they do things like this.”
Student felt erased by the edit
Ramirez initially found it funny but later said the alteration made him feel "silenced and erased" from a representation meant to include him.
“silenced and erased from a representation that was supposed to include me”
Other students were also altered
The Asian woman and white man in the photo were made thinner and more conventionally attractive using AI, in what the university called poor taste.
Stanford violated its own AI policy
The university's rules strictly prohibit using AI to alter images of Stanford people or events. A spokesperson confirmed the violation and promised staff training.
“The use of AI in producing or altering images of Stanford people, events, research, facilities, or achievements is strictly prohibited”
Fake diversity doesn't reflect reality
Ramirez said the fake Black student didn't represent Stanford's actual diversity and suggested the university isn't as inclusive as it claims.
“It's not as diverse as they make it out to be.”
Part of a broader AI problem
The dining department has previously used AI for marketing posters. The incident reflects how institutions casually use AI to rewrite reality in pursuit of a perfect image.
The essence
AI-generated diversity in marketing materials can erase real people and create false representations, even when institutions have policies against it.
