The principal of Amherst Central High School informed parents about a recent occurrence concerning some students through a letter.
In a message sent to parents on Wednesday, Principal Gregory Pigeon stated that the incident pertained to a high school student.
misuse of an AI
A program named ‘Flow GPT’ was mentioned. The principal stated that this AI software was utilized for generating and distributing material which featured the names of various students and staff members, along with certain images and modified digital pictures.
According to the school, several students came forward and alerted officials and the school resource officer. Amherst Police were also called to investigate, according to the letter.
The pigeon mentioned in the letter stated that the individual supposedly behind generating and disseminating the material has been pinpointed and is currently collaborating with authorities.
Pigeon stated in the letter, ‘Online safety and student welfare are of utmost importance to us. Rest assured that suitable measures are being implemented to tackle this issue and assist all parties concerned. We also urge you to discuss with your child the proper and secure usage of technology.’
Channel 2 On Your Side reached out to two parents whose kids were impacted by this situation. One of these parents mentioned that artificial intelligence was used to superimpose their child’s face onto videos depicting inappropriate scenarios such as dressing or wearing swimsuits improperly. They also stated that counseling services have been provided to assist the children affected by this issue.
The Amherst Police have verified that they investigated the situation but found no evidence of criminal behavior. They also stated that currently, no charges are being considered.
Anthony J. Panella, the Amherst Schools Superintendent, conveyed the following message to parents on Thursday:
“As an update to yesterday’s message, we are thankful to the students and parents who came forward with information to aid in our investigation. The safety and well being of our students and staff is our top priority. When we were made aware of this situation we immediately began an investigation with our partners at the Amherst Police Department.
Currently, we are handling this as a student conduct issue since there is no indication of deepfake pornographic content, AI-generated pornography, or any other illegal activities.
A significant portion of our recent work has been dedicated to taking down material from FlowGPT and assisting both our students and faculty. Should you know of any remaining content that requires removal, please contact FlowGPT technical support directly via [email protected].
In addition we are also working to support individual students and staff who may need it. We understand this situation can be upsetting and if your child is in need of support, please reach out to the school counselor or principal.
We appreciate your continued partnership and understanding as we work through this matter. Please know that we remain committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all members of our school community.”
