Stanford admits AI was used to change students' race and gender in ad
Stanford University admitted that they violated a policy after using artificial intelligence in a photo for an advertisement.
Recently, the University faced backlash on social media after users noticed that an advertisement published by the Stanford Residential & Dining Enterprises had been digitally altered using artificial intelligence.
In the altered photo by the Stanford Residential & Dining Enterprises, the Asian female student appeared to have a much slimmer face, while the student on the right had been changed into a Black female student.
Following the backlash, Stanford admitted to the modification and confirmed that it violated school guidelines.
"We have reviewed the matter and confirmed that AI was used to alter the image in violation of university policy," a spokesperson for Stanford University told FOX News Digital.
Stanford just used AI to race swap a student for their advertisements. pic.twitter.com/xXjixdIyjU
— The Stanford Review (@StanfordReview) September 21, 2026
"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," they continued.
The university added that it is currently working with Residential & Dining Enterprises to ensure similar unauthorized AI alterations do not happen again.
"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 continued.
Billy Ramirez, one of the students in the photo, told The Stanford Review that after recalling a past photoshoot with a university photographer, he noticed he had been completely replaced in the final ad by an AI-generated Black woman.
“I was driving to school from my hometown when my friend sent me the images comparing the banner to the original photos, and I was immediately baffled. At first, I found it hilarious that they had used AI to completely change our appearances, including my race and gender," he told the publication.
Ramirez expressed his dismay, saying the altered photo made him feel “silenced and erased” in terms of representation.
"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. 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," the student said.
The publication said it would continue monitoring Stanford R&DE’s use of generative AI in future advertising and other actions.