Stanford removed banners after AI-altered photo changed students’ race and appearances

The useful part

Students outraged after Stanford University uses AI to alter race, appearances in promotional photo. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File) By Luz Pena Thursday, September 24, 2026 3:00PM Share PALO ALTO, Calif. Students say the image was altered using AI before being displayed in university materials.

How it works

• "I was also upset because I don't agree with Stanford making those choices about how we were represented," Ramirez told the publication.
• Following the backlash, Stanford acknowledged that the alterations and the lack of disclosure violated the university's AI 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...
• They have diversity and they shouldn't need to fabricate it," said Stanford freshman Kavinder Patel.
• Cha r ges to be dismissed fo r 5 Stanfo r d p r o-Palestinian p r oteste r s afte r mist r ial Students pointed to noticeable differences between the original image and the version.

What to take from it

"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. ABC7 New York Education Students outraged after Stanford University uses AI to alter race, appearances in promotional photo Stanford University is facing criticism after using artificial intelligence to alter a photo of three students in an advertisement. In one change, a Hispanic student was replaced with an Black female student, sparking widespread discussion across campus.

Example or evidence

• Heads of AI fi r ms tell United Nations Secu r ity Council that it could be a r isk to all humanity Students interviewed said they hope the university reevaluate its approach to imagery and representation.
• Full Stanfo r d Unive r sity statement: "We have r e viewed the matte r and confi r med that AI was used to alte r the image in violation of unive r sity policy.
• The use of AI in p r oducing o r alte r ing images of Stanfo r d people, events, r e sea r ch, facilities, o r achievements is st r ictly p r ohibited.
• Both the alte r ation and lack of disclosu r e in this case violate that policy.

Details worth keeping

-- 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. Other students questioned why AI alterations were necessary.

Related coverage

• Thegrio: The university removed the altered photo after students said changes to their identities and ethnic features left them feeling misrepresented.
• Independent: Two other students pictured in the modified photo issued a statement confirming one of them filed a formal discrimination claim with the university — they called for an apology, an investigation and a ban...
• Sfist: Stanford University acknowledged that a photo featured on a banner in its dining hall had been altered using AI to replace a Latino student with a Black woman who may have been, while two other students...
• Washingtontimes: Stanford University acknowledged this week that it used artificial intelligence to alter a promotional photo, swapping out a Latino student for an Black woman and slimming down two of his classmates.
• Omanobserver: What first comes to mind when you hear the word "education"?Most of us imagine a familiar ladder: nursery, school, university and perhaps postgraduate study. We spend around twelve...