The audio, believed to be AI-generated, contained disparaging remarks about Black students and the Jewish community. Darien allegedly made the recording in retaliation after Eiswert initiated an investigation into improper payments Darien made to a school athletics coach. The incident prompted a Baltimore County Public Schools and Baltimore County Police investigation. Darien was allowed release on $5,000 bond and has submitted his resignation to the school system.
Key takeaways:
- Dazhon Darien, the former athletic director of Pikesville High School, was arrested and charged with crimes related to the alleged use of artificial intelligence to impersonate Principal Eric Eiswert and make him appear to have made racist and antisemitic comments.
- Darien was apprehended at BWI Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Houston. He was charged with disrupting school activities, theft, and retaliating against a witness.
- The audio clip, which was circulated on social media, led to Eiswert’s temporary removal from the school and triggered a wave of hate-filled messages and significant disruptions for the school staff and students.
- Experts in detecting audio and video fakes believe the voice in the audio was AI-generated, noting its flat tone, unusually clean background sounds, and lack of consistent breathing sounds or pauses as hallmarks of AI.