California substitute teacher targeted by AI deepfakes made by students
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Luis DeSantiago, a substitute teacher in Los Banos, California, discovered in March that students had created and shared sexualized AI-generated images of him. He reported the incident to school administrators, who disciplined one student with in-school suspension. The images continued to circulate on TikTok and Snapchat, and DeSantiago received crude sexual comments on his account.
Key Facts
- Luis DeSantiago, a substitute teacher in Los Banos, California, was targeted by AI-generated sexualized images created by students in March.
- One student who admitted to creating the image was disciplined with in-school suspension.
- The images were shared on TikTok and Snapchat, and DeSantiago received crude sexual comments on his TikTok account.
- WIRED spoke with three other teachers who allege that their students made sexualized photos and videos of them, likely using AI.
The Incident
On March 12, while working at a coffee shop, DeSantiago received text messages alerting him to an AI-generated photo circulating on social media. The image resembled a mirror selfie he had taken in college, but altered to show him wearing lingerie and posing suggestively. DeSantiago identified a student from the local middle school as the likely creator after finding the account that shared the image used the student's real name. He reported the incident to the assistant principal the next day and was assured the school would 'take care of it.'
School Response
DeSantiago discovered a different student had created an account impersonating him on TikTok, using his name with a slight misspelling and the same profile picture. Over several weeks, he communicated with school administrators, parents of the students, and the police. One student who admitted to creating the image received in-school suspension, but the image continued to proliferate as other students began posting it. DeSantiago wrote to the principal expressing concern that students might be circulating such images privately through text messages and group chats, potentially involving other students.
Wider Pattern
WIRED spoke with three other teachers who allege that their students made sexualized photos and videos of them, likely using AI. These teachers say the incidents have been profoundly distressing and have led some to reassess their work and relationships with students. DeSantiago received several crude, sexual comments on his TikTok account after the images were shared.
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California substitute teacher targeted by AI deepfakes made by students
