Alleged use of AI to generate pornographic images investigated at Lake Zurich High School
A criminal investigation has been ongoing for weeks regarding the alleged use of AI by Lake Zurich High School students to generate and share pornographic images with the likeness of other students.
In a message to Lake Zurich Community Unit District 95 families Thursday, Superintendent Kelley Gallt said that with a heavy heart she was sharing “a recent disturbing incident involving Lake Zurich High School students.”
The situation reported to school officials involves the misuse of artificial intelligence to generate “explicit pornographic images using the likeness of other adolescents,” Gallt wrote.
The continuing investigation so far involves multiple juveniles, according to police. How many students may have been involved or how many may have had their likenesses used was not disclosed by police or school officials.
In the message, Gallt said the district was unable to share specific information regarding the school-based investigation and/or outcomes of students involved.
“Please know that we are taking this matter with the utmost seriousness, as such actions are a fundamental violation of the values we work to instill in our students every day,” she wrote.
A provided timeline showed the high school administration first received a report regarding the possible use of AI to generate the images Feb. 26. The information was reported to Lake Zurich police the same day.
Families of students either thought to be involved in generating, possessing or distributing the images or whose images were included were contacted by the school administration with a Lake Zurich police detective.
Additional information was collected through March 6 and issued undisclosed “school-based consequences based on data available at the time,” according to the timeline.
No high school or district administrators directly viewed any of the reported content, Gallt wrote. She added that additional families may be contacted by police regarding their student's involvement.
The situation also has been circulating on social media.
In her message, Gallt said the district was committed to being responsive to students and provided links to various resources.
“We want to empower our parents and guardians with the tools to navigate this difficult topic at home, while we continue to provide targeted teaching and emotional support within our schools,” she wrote.
Anyone with information should contact police criminal investigations at (847) 719-1690.