Pikesville High School Principal Files Lawsuit Over Racist AI Recording Incident

In a groundbreaking legal case, Eric Eiswert has filed a lawsuit against Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). The lawsuit alleges that BCPS mishandled a racially charged AI-generated audio recording that imitated Eiswert’s voice and contained offensive language, including racial slurs.

This case brings attention to the misuse of artificial intelligence, workplace discrimination, and the responsibilities of educational institutions to provide a safe environment for their students and staff.

Details of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed in Baltimore County Circuit Court, stems from an incident where a teacher and athletic director at Pikesville High School allegedly used AI technology to create a fake audio recording of the principal, Eric Eiswert.

The recording was designed to imitate Eiswert’s voice and included racist and derogatory remarks. The lawsuit alleges that:

1. BCPS Failed to Respond Adequately: The school district did not take prompt and appropriate action to address the recording’s circulation and its impact on Reid.
2. Failure to vet new employees: The lawsuit alleges that the athletic director who created the fake audio was previously fired from a school district in Florida for inappropriate contact with a student and that the athletic director failed to meet almost all of the minimum criteria for his job. Yet BCPS apparently failed to discover any of this information before hiring him as a teacher and promoting him to athletic director.
3. Negligence in Managing AI Misuse: BCPS did not have safeguards or policies in place to prevent or address the misuse of artificial intelligence in its schools.

Eiswert is seeking damages, citing emotional distress, reputational harm, and other professional and personal impacts.

The Incident: How the AI-Generated Recording Was Used

The lawsuit describes how the AI-generated audio was disseminated by two teachers, who are also named in the lawsuit, directly to students and then the fake audio was spread over social media. Principal Eiswert was subjected to online attacks and threats of violence and removed from his position.

Despite expert opinions that the audio was fraudulent, the lawsuit alleges that BCPS failed to act decisively, further exacerbating the harm caused.

Legal Implications of the Case

This lawsuit raises several critical legal questions about discrimination, technology, and institutional accountability:

1. Misuse of Artificial Intelligence

The incident highlights the darker side of rapidly advancing AI technology:

• Deepfake Technology: Tools that allow users to mimic voices or create fake audio and video content are becoming increasingly accessible. While innovative, they can be weaponized for harassment, defamation, and bullying.
• Lack of Oversight: Schools and other institutions must implement policies to monitor and control the use of AI technologies within their environments.

2. Institutional Negligence

The case also questions BCPS’s role in preventing incidents like this from occurring. Institutions have a duty to provide a safe and equitable environment for their employees and students, including addressing emerging challenges like AI misuse.

The Role of AI in Schools: Opportunities and Risks

While artificial intelligence offers numerous educational benefits, its misuse poses significant risks. This case underscores the urgent need for schools to adopt policies and practices to prevent incidents like this in the future.

How Schools Can Mitigate AI Risks

1. Implement Technology Use Policies: Clearly define acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI tools in educational settings.
2. Educate Students and Staff: Provide training on the ethical use of AI and the consequences of misuse.
3. Monitor Technology Access: Restrict access to certain AI tools that can be easily exploited.
4. Respond Promptly: Establish clear procedures for investigating and addressing incidents involving AI misuse.

Discrimination in Education

This case also brings to light the broader issue of failing to prevent dangerous individuals from being hired to work with children in the school system.

After the lawsuit was filed, the athletic director was then charged by federal prosecutors with possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of minors, including students at the school. Schools must actively combat such dangers by:

• Thoroughly vetting potential employees, especially those that will work directly with students.
• Holding students and staff accountable for discriminatory behavior.
• Providing robust support systems for affected individuals.

Why This Case Matters

The lawsuit filed by Eric Eiswert is more than a legal battle—it’s a call to action for schools, workplaces, and policymakers to address the ethical challenges posed by technology and the persistent issue of discrimination in education. The case could set significant legal precedents in:

• The responsibilities of institutions to address harassment involving advanced technologies.
• Ensuring accountability for incidents that create hostile work environments.

Keilty Bonadio’s Commitment to Justice

At Keilty Bonadio, we recognize the profound impact of workplace discrimination and harassment. Our attorneys are committed to seeking justice for victims and holding institutions accountable.

What We Offer:

• Personalized Advocacy: Every client receives dedicated attention and a tailored legal strategy.
• Proven Results: Our firm is known for achieving significant settlements and verdicts in complex cases.

Contact Keilty Bonadio for Legal Assistance

If you have experienced workplace harassment, discrimination, or harm related to the misuse of technology, contact Keilty Bonadio for a confidential consultation. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate your case and fight for justice.

Call us at 410-469-9953 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.