UW–Madison Police Warn Students Over AI Dorm Prank That’s Panicking Parents

MADISON, WI — The University of Wisconsin–Madison Police Department is warning students about a viral TikTok prank that’s causing panic among parents and tying up police phone lines.

"Hey Badgers — we love a good trend, but this one’s got your parents calling us in panic mode," the department wrote on Facebook.

The prank involves students sending their parents an AI-generated photo of a supposed "stranger" who’s moved into their dorm room, making it look like someone is squatting there. Some parents, believing the images are real, have called campus police in distress.

"Yep, it’s super funny and harmless — but don’t let your parents sit and stew on it," police said. "Quickly tell them it’s a prank so they don’t call the police."

Their post even included an AI-generated image showing robots and pink flamingos taking over Camp Randall, while Bucky — wearing a cowboy hat — grills brats on the sideline.

Experts say the trend underscores how difficult it has become to tell AI-generated photos from authentic ones.

A recent Northwestern University report found that people often misjudge AI-made faces as real, in part because such images tend to feature the visual qualities, like clear lighting and balanced composition, that humans subconsciously associate with authenticity.