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4mo ago

Former Pikesville High Official Sentenced in AI Deepfake Case

Dazhon Darien receives four-month sentence for school disruption while federal child exploitation charges remain pending.

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Dr. Myriam Rogers, superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, speaks about the arrest of Dazhon Darien, Pikesville High’s athletic director, who allegedly used artificial intelligence to create a fake racist recording of the school’s principal. Standing with her are Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. and Police Chief Robert McCullough.

Overview

  • Dazhon Darien, former Pikesville High School athletic director, pleaded Alford to disturbing school operations and was sentenced to four months in county detention.
  • Darien used AI technology to create a deepfake audio clip impersonating Principal Eric Eiswert, spreading racist and antisemitic remarks online in January 2024.
  • The case marks Baltimore County's first AI-related prosecution and is among the earliest of its kind in the U.S., highlighting gaps in AI regulation.
  • Darien remains detained on federal charges including child sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography, with a status conference set for May 28.
  • The deepfake incident caused significant reputational harm and administrative disruption at Pikesville High, sparking calls for stronger safeguards against AI misuse.