Stanford University changed the appearance, race and gender of students using AI for an advertisement (Original photo on the left)

Stanford University used AI to change the appearance, race and gender of students in a photo before using it as a promotion for the university’s residential and dining offerings. The original photo had an Asian woman, a white man and a Hispanic student. But the published version had a Black woman replacing the Hispanic man and the appearance of the other two students was also altered.After this created a massive row, the university acknowledged the incident and condemned it. “We have reviewed the matter and confirmed that AI was used to alter the image in violation of university policy. Stanford’s AI policy is clear: The use of AI in producing or altering images of Stanford people, events, research, facilities, or achievements is strictly prohibited,” a spokesperson for Stanford University said in a email to Fox News Digital.“Both the alteration and lack of disclosure in this case violate that policy. We are working with Residential and Dining Enterprises to provide additional training and ensure proper review of all materials,” the spokesperson added.

Omitted student says he found it funny initially

Billy Ramirez, the student, who was removed from the photo told the Stanford Review that he was “baffled” when he saw that he was cut out of the photo. “At first, I found it hilarious that they had used AI to completely change our appearances, including my race and gender,” Ramirez told the Stanford Review.“But after looking at the comparison, I was also upset because I don’t agree with Stanford making those choices about how we were represented,” Ramirez continued. “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.”“While Stanford R&DE likely believed they were subtle enough for no one to notice, fortunately, our vigilant Stanford student body cannot be fooled. The Review will continue to monitor future advertising and actions from Stanford R&DE as they learn how to use generative AI,” Stanford Review said.“It’s kind of unacceptable. Stanford is a place that actually prides itself on having students from over 60 different countries in their incoming class. They have diversity and they shouldn’t need to fabricate it,” said Stanford freshman Kavinder Patel to ABC7 News.