Stanford University removed an artificial intelligence-generated image depicting the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band from its Campus Center Construction Project website following complaints from band members, according to reports earlier this week.
Members of the marching band expressed concern about the image, which depicted an all-white and all-male composition of the group. Band representatives communicated their objections to university officials through email, describing the image as an “all-white, all-male, AI slop version of the Band” and questioning why existing photographs were not used instead. Students expressed worry that the AI depiction could negatively affect recruitment efforts targeting women and students of color.
The use of the image prompted scrutiny regarding potential violations of Stanford’s own artificial intelligence guidelines, which prohibit creation of content that “depicts, impersonates, or closely resembles a real person.” Following the removal, Stanford spokesperson Mindi Bach characterized the use of AI-assisted imagery as standard practice for architectural visualization projects. Bach stated that “the figures in these renderings are illustrative and not intended to depict real individuals” and noted that website language has been updated to clarify that images are “conceptual renderings intended to illustrate the vision for a design and construction project that is still in progress.”
The incident represents the second artificial intelligence-related controversy for the university within approximately a month. Stanford Residential and Dining Enterprises had previously faced criticism for using AI technology to edit a photograph of students, removing a Hispanic man from the image and adding a Black woman. University officials acknowledged in that earlier case that the institution had violated its AI guidelines.
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