ByLuz Pena
Thursday, September 24, 2026 5:11AM
Stanford University is facing criticism after using artificial intelligence to alter a photo of three students in an advertisement.
/Ben Margot, File)
PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) –Stanford University is facing criticism after using artificial intelligence to alter a photo of three students and changing the appearance and race of people depicted in the image, prompting accusations that the university violated its own AI policy.
The controversy centers on a photo taken in a Stanford dining hall. Students say the image was altered using AI before being displayed in university materials.
“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.
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Students pointed to noticeable differences between the original image and the AI-generated version. In one change, a Hispanic student was replaced with an AI-generated Black female student, sparking widespread discussion across campus.
“Just started spreading like wildfire. I had friends back home who saw it. I have people all around the school and it just has been kind of crazy to think that I don’t know who was in charge of it,” said Stanford freshman Jacob Peizner.
The Stanford Reviewnewspaper reported that Billy Ramirez, the student whose face was removed from the image, initially found the situation amusing but later expressed concerns about the university’s actions.
“I was also upset because I don’t agree with Stanford making those choices about how we were represented,” Ramirez told the publication.
Other students questioned why AI alterations were necessary.
“I think it was weird because honestly there are pictures of people already out there so why change stuff like this with AI,” said Stanford sophomore Viriana Estrada.
Following the backlash, Stanford acknowledged that the alterations and the lack of disclosure violated the university’s AI policy.
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In a statement, the university said: “We have reviewed the matter and confirmed that AI was used to alter the image in violation of university policy. The banners with the image in question have been removed.”
Zachary Henderson, assistant professor of law at SMU Dedman School of Law, said the incident raises questions about consent and how people are portrayed through AI-generated changes.
“As to the student who was removed from the photo I don’t that student has any recourse but the students whose body shape and faces were changed if I were those student I would be thinking what was the consent that I actually gave and do I feel like I harmed by the way I was depicted in those photographs,” Henderson said.
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Students interviewed said they hope the university reevaluates its approach to AI-generated imagery and representation.
Asked what changes he would like to see, Peizner said, “I think the university has positive and negativity policies, and I think they are doing their best efforts to be able to try to be more inclusive, but I think the university needs to be more authentic.”
The university has removed the banners containing the altered image, according to its statement.
Full Stanford University statement:
“We have reviewed the matter and confirmed that AI was used to alter the image in violation of university policy. The banners with the image in question have been removed. 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. Both the alteration and lack of disclosure in this case violate that policy. We are working to provide additional training for all staff and ensure proper review of all materials.”
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