After being caught generating and distributing nude photos of fellow classmates using Artificial Intelligence programs, five Beverly Hills students at Beverly Hills have been expelled.

The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) made the decision during a special March 6 school board meeting, but due to the California Education Code, it kept details short.

“We recognize that kids are still learning and growing, and mistakes are part of this process,” BHUSD Superintendent Michael Bregy said. “However, accountability is essential and appropriate measures have been taken.”

Bregy added that the incident has created a national discussion about the ethical use of AI-based technology.

While officials did not reveal what AI program was used, it was revealed that the faces of the eighth-grade students at Beverly Vista Middle School were superimposed on AI-generated nude bodies, a practice commonly known as a deepfake. A total of 16 students were affected by the act, and the photos were said to be disposed of within 24 hours of school officials discovering them.

As of this writing, the students’ names have not been made available, and the expulsions have not been challenged.

The Beverly Hills Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation, although it is not yet clear whether criminal offenses took place, and no arrests have been made.

“We want to make it unequivocally clear that this behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our community,” a joint statement from Beverly Vista Middle School Principal Kelly Soon and BHUSD Superintendent Bregy said. “This behavior rises to a level that requires the entire community to work in partnership to ensure it stops immediately.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.