Dazhon Darien allegedly impersonated a high school principal in Maryland in a clip that rapidly circulated on social media, according to police.

Authorities announced on Thursday that a high school athletic director in Maryland has been charged with utilizing artificial intelligence to mimic a principal on an audio recording, which contained racist and antisemitic remarks.

According to charging documents filed by Baltimore County police, Dazhon Darien purportedly simulated the voice of Pikesville High School's principal in January,

following discussions that Darien's contract wouldn't be extended. Police stated that the principal had raised concerns about Darien's job performance, including an investigation into theft allegations, suggesting that Darien had utilized school funds to pay his roommate.

Using cloning technology, Darien allegedly fabricated an audio clip in which the principal appeared to express frustration with Black students' test-taking abilities, as well as disparaging remarks about Jewish individuals and two teachers deemed unfit for hiring, as per police statements.

The clip, disseminated on social media, led to significant consequences, resulting in the principal being placed on leave. It also incited a barrage of hate-fueled messages online and inundated the school's front office with phone calls, disrupting school activities and causing some staff to feel unsafe.

Darien, aged 31, is facing a range of charges, including theft, disrupting school activities, stalking, and retaliating against a witness, as outlined in court documents. Online records do not indicate legal representation for Darien, who authorities stated is currently detained in a local jail on a $5,000 bond.