TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The Troy University Police Department (TUPD) says it has identified the person who posted an AI-generated image of Trojan Village 100 on fire.
Around 1:44 p.m. Monday afternoon, the fire alarm in Trojan Village 100 went off due to a water leak. Soon after, that water leak was depicted to have turned into a full-blown inferno after an anonymous social media user posted AI-generated images of the dorm’s upper levels engulfed in flames.
Thursday, TUPD officers identified a student who admitted to creating and distributing an AI generated photo showing one of our dorm buildings engulfed in flames.
The individual will be referred to Student Services for student disciplinary action.
According to TUPD, once the photos were posted, officers began receiving phone calls from concerned parents. It was that concern that prompted TUPD to begin searching for the person or people behind the photos.
“We received multiple calls,” said Troy University Police Department (TUPD) Sergent Rachel Farmer. “There are parents who live out of state that can’t drive past the building and see that it’s not on fire. Whoever posted those images could face charges.
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“Communicating harassment is anything that is posted or sent, whether it’s verbal or an image that alarms people”
Despite Yik Yak’s claim to offer users anonymity, Farmer said there are ways to identify the culprit.
“I am getting a subpoena from the district attorney’s office,” Farmer told TrojanVision. “The subpoena will be sent to Yik Yak, that way I can receive the information of who posted the photo.
“This kind of behavior is not acceptable. Whether we press criminal charges is yet to be determined.”
While TUPD continues its investigation, students are sharing their own reactions across campus.
“At first, I thought it was real,” said student Gavin Plunkett. “After I inspected the photo, I was able to tell that it was AI.
