Baltimore County police arrested a former athletic director and physical education teacher at a Baltimore County high school, alleging that he employed AI voice cloning technology to fabricate a racist tirade mimicking the voice of Pikesville High School's principal.
He now faces charges related to the purported attempt to discredit the principal.
The shadow of Uruguayan developer Tammara Leites poses in front of a text generated by (digital Simon) thanks to artificial intelligence ahead of the (Simon) performance at the Avignon fringe festival in Avignon on July 14, 2022. (Photo: CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Former School Official Accused of AI Voice Cloning Scandal
In a significant development, a former athletic director and physical education teacher from a Baltimore County high school now faces legal repercussions following accusations of orchestrating a deceptive scheme to incriminate the school's principal, as reported by The Baltimore Banner.
The allegations stem from a recording that circulated on social media in January, allegedly capturing the principal making racist and antisemitic remarks. However, scrutiny by both experts and law enforcement revealed inconsistencies within the recording, leading to suspicions of manipulation.
Further investigation by Baltimore County police identified Dazhon Darien as a central figure in the scandal. The school's athletic director, Darien, allegedly used computers and digital services to fabricate the incriminating audio clip.
Authorities also linked Darien to disseminating the recording through email and associated contact information. This revelation sheds light on the complexities of modern technological manipulation and underscores the importance of thorough investigation and scrutiny in addressing digital misinformation.
Additionally, it raises questions about the ethical use of AI and digital tools and highlights the potential consequences of exploiting such technologies for nefarious purposes.
The specific AI voice technology utilized by Darien remains undisclosed at this time.
Also read: ElevenLabs AI Voice Generator Can Produce 'Emotionally Rich' Recordings in 30 Languages
On Thursday, authorities arrested Darien at the airport, suspecting his involvement in the incident. They believe that Darien, who formerly served as the Athletic Director at Pikesville High School, engineered the recording in retaliation against Eiswert, who was probing potential financial irregularities within the school.
Following the arrest, Darien posted bail and was subsequently released. He now confronts a series of charges, including theft related to the school funds, disruption of school operations, retaliation against a witness, and stalking.
Navigating the Implications of AI Voice Cloning
In the past year, the surge in interest surrounding AI-driven voice cloning technology has intensified, driven by advancements that render synthesized voices more lifelike.
However, alongside these advancements, misuse has surfaced, sparking controversies.
For instance, during a political campaign, the party of Imran Khan, the incarcerated former prime minister of Pakistan, employed ElevenLabs to replicate his voice.
In a separate incident, two Texan enterprises were implicated in a deceptive robocall scheme masquerading as President Joe Biden, urging individuals not to participate in voting activities.
Responding to such incidents, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibited the utilization of AI in robocalls as of February.
Related Article: US Regulators Declare AI Robocalls as Illegal Following Fake Biden Calls
