Stanford Uses AI to Change an Image of a Student: What Organizations Can Learn

Stanford used AI to change an image of a student, raising important questions about consent, transparency, marketing, and responsible AI use.

Stanford University confirmed that its Residential & Dining Enterprises division used generative AI to alter a promotional photo featuring three students. The changes reportedly included modifying students’ faces and clothing and replacing Hispanic student Billy Ramirez with an AI-generated Black woman.

Why Students Were Upset

The original photo showed three real Stanford students in a dining hall. However, the AI-edited version changed the appearance of all three students. Ramirez said that seeing his identity changed and being removed from the image made him feel erased from a representation that was supposed to include him.

The other students featured in the original photo also expressed concerns about how their faces and ethnic features were altered.

Stanford confirmed that the changes and lack of disclosure violated university policy. The institution removed the promotional materials and said it would provide additional staff training and improve its review process.

Organizations Need Clear AI Policies

This situation demonstrates why organizations need specific policies governing AI-generated and AI-edited content.

A general policy encouraging responsible AI use may not provide employees with enough direction. Organizations should clearly explain:

• Whether AI can be used to alter photos of real people
• When permission is required
• Whether AI-edited images must be labeled
• Who must approve AI-generated marketing materials
• Which types of changes are prohibited
• How employees should protect people’s identities and likenesses

Having a policy is only the first step. Employees, contractors, marketing teams, and outside agencies must understand it. Organizations also need a review process that catches questionable content before it is published.

Should AI-Edited Images Be Disclosed?

AI can help marketing teams improve images, develop concepts, and create new visual content. However, changing the race, gender, body, or appearance of a real person introduces significant ethical concerns.

If an organization uses AI to make material changes to a promotional image, customers and the people depicted should know. Disclosure helps audiences understand what is authentic and what has been generated or altered.

Organizations should also consider whether the change is necessary. If the goal is to represent a more diverse community, using authentic photos of real people is more credible than altering someone’s identity with AI.

The Business Lesson

AI makes it easier to create and modify marketing content, but easier does not always mean appropriate.

Before using an AI-edited image, organizations should ask:

1. Do we have permission to alter this person’s image?
2. Could these changes misrepresent someone’s identity?
3. Does the image accurately represent our organization?
4. Should we disclose that AI was used?
5. Who is responsible for approving the final content?

Responsible AI use requires more than access to technology. It requires clear policies, employee training, human review, and respect for the people represented.

Should companies and universities be required to disclose when they use AI to alter promotional images?

About Chris Cheetham-West

Chris Cheetham-West, MBA, is an AI keynote speaker, expert, author, and entrepreneur. He helps organizations understand artificial intelligence, develop responsible AI strategies, improve adoption, and prepare employees for changes in technology and customer behavior.