Stanford Confirms AI-Edited Promo Photo Changed Students' Race, Gender, Appearance
wandedob · x · 2026-09-23
Stanford confirmed its Residential & Dining Enterprises (R&DE) used generative AI to alter a student promotional photo: converting clothing to Stanford merch, slimming two students' faces, and entirely changing one student's race, gender, and appearance.
- PR director Charlene Gage said the edit violated university policy, which strictly prohibits AI-altered images of Stanford people or events
- Student Billy Ramirez '27, who was replaced in the photo, exposed it in a viral Fizz post, saying he felt "silenced and erased"
- The banner at Governor's Corner housing was taken down; the story drew national coverage from NYT and SF Chronicle
Stanford says it will provide additional staff training and review of materials. A cautionary case for AI use and identity representation.
Related event: Stanford Admits AI-Altering Students' Race and Appearance in Promo Photos(9 posts)→
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