Teachers Say Students Are Using AI to Create Sexualized Deepfakes of Them
Several teachers in the US and UK report that students used artificial intelligence to create and spread sexualized images and videos of them, leading to disciplinary cases and lasting damage to trust in the classroom.
Substitute teacher Luis DeSantiago from California learned in March that an AI-generated image was circulating online showing him in lingerie, based on an old photo of himself. He traced the spread to students at a local middle school, some of whom had even created fake accounts using his name.
Despite assurances from school staff, the image kept spreading, including via AirDrop at a different school where DeSantiago later worked. One student who admitted to creating the image received in-school suspension, but DeSantiago ultimately chose not to return to the district, saying he no longer felt safe there.
A pattern across schools
Other educators reported similar experiences. One middle school teacher, speaking anonymously, said students created a fake TikTok account with AI-generated videos making it appear she was discussing sexual acts. After reporting it, she also faced in-person harassment from a student later linked to the account, who eventually left the district.
In the UK, a student counselor who goes by Alice said a student manipulated a real recording of a conversation with her into a video showing her dancing in underwear. The incident made her reconsider how she interacts with students, though she has continued in her role.
Arizona teacher Luke Red said students shared an AI-generated image depicting him kissing a male colleague. The student responsible received a three-day suspension, the maximum penalty allowed for a first-time sexual harassment offense under district rules.
Employment lawyer Donna Ballman said such incidents could clearly constitute workplace sexual harassment, but noted there is no established framework guiding how schools should respond.
