My roots in the San Dieguito Union High School District run deep. I’m a San Dieguito High School graduate (Class of ’77), former Adult Ed Instructor and father of two San Dieguito Academy alumni. I attend school board meetings regularly because good governance and leadership matter to me.
After years of watching board dysfunction turn into function, I know firsthand what is at stake this election season.
That is why I am appalled by a recent campaign mailer against school board candidate Amy Flicker. The mailer, circulated by her Republican opponent, David Miyashiro, is a Trump-style political attack that uses artificial intelligence to demean and belittle a female community leader through a sexist stereotype.
Under the header “THE CHOICE IS OBVIOUS,” Miyashiro is shown suited in a professional boardroom as “District Superintendent.” Beside him, an AI-generated image depicts Flicker standing behind a table of cookies and cupcakes, labeled “Non-profit Volunteer.” A disclaimer at the bottom of the mailer admits the image was “generated or substantially altered using artificial intelligence.”
The message could not be clearer: The man is a serious, qualified professional. The woman belongs behind a bake-sale table.
It is demeaning. It is sexist. It is mean and inaccurate. It is beneath anyone aspiring to serve on our school board. Worse, it is a Deepfake rendition of Mr. Miyashiro’s imagination.
I had lunch with Mr. Miyashiro soon after he filed to run for office. During our conversation, he spoke proudly of his AI expertise. I was left with the impression he would use his expertise to help our district. Instead, he uses it to deploy fabricated imagery to diminish a woman’s extensive public service.
What would happen if a student in our district created an AI caricature of a female classmate to ridicule her accomplishments and wish to serve? If this conduct would be unacceptable from students, it should certainly be unacceptable from someone seeking to govern their schools.
The San Dieguito Union High School District deserves leaders who demonstrate integrity, respect, and sound judgment. Our children deserve better examples. That’s why I am vigorously supporting Amy Flicker for the SDUHSD School Board.
Bob Ayers is an Encinitas attorney and longtime advocate for public education.
