AI Incidents
Real-world cases where AI systems caused harm, classified by risk domain and entity. Data sourced from 
AIID and classified by 
MIT AI Risk Initiative. CC BY-SA 4.0
368 incidents
Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign Released Deepfakes Attacking Ron DeSantis
Former President Donald Trump released two AI-generated videos using deepfaked voices to mock Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The first video, posted on platforms like Rumble and Instagram, depicted a chaotic and offensive fake Twitter Spaces event featuring deepfaked voices of Elon Musk, George Soros, Klaus Schwab, Dick Cheney, Adolf Hitler, and a generated voice of Satan. The second video showed a rocket with "Ron 2024" written beside it falling and exploding before liftoff.
Iranian Hacker Group Cotton Sandstorm Reportedly Integrating AI into Cyber Influence Operations
The Iranian state-sponsored group Cotton Sandstorm, linked to the IRGC, has integrated generative AI into cyber influence operations. In December 2023, it launched Operation “For Humanity," using AI-crafted messaging to hijack a U.S.-based IPTV streaming service with propaganda about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The group also engages in election-related reconnaissance, which suggests they used AI-enhanced influence efforts ahead of the 2024 U.S. election.
Purported AI-Generated Audio Disinformation Reportedly Attributed to U.S. Ambassador John Godfrey Circulates in Sudan
In April 2023, a reportedly fake audio message impersonating U.S. Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey circulated on Sudanese social media. Reportedly produced using AI voice-cloning tools, the message portrayed the ambassador outlining strategies to impose secularism through U.S. support. Researchers attribute the clip to Islamist-linked networks seeking to undermine Western and civilian influence during the ongoing civil conflict. The message was quickly identified as inauthentic.
Quebec Man Sentenced for Having Used Deepfake Technology to Create Synthetic Child Pornography
A Quebec man was sentenced to over three years in prison for using AI deepfake technology to produce synthetic child pornography. He created videos by superimposing children's faces onto other bodies, adding to the challenge of policing digital sexual exploitation. This case marks a disturbing use of AI in criminal activities, raising concerns about digital safety and the vulnerability of children's images online.
FBI Reported Surge of Extortion Cases of AI Media Featuring Sexual Explicit Activities
The FBI reported an increase in sextortion cases featuring the use of fake, including AI-generated, images or videos created from content posted on their social media sites or web postings, provided to the malicious actor upon request, or captured during video chats.
South Korean man used AI to create sexual images of children
A South Korean man used AI technology to generate 360 images of a sexual nature depicting children in April of 2023. The police confiscated the images and the courts sentenced the man to two and a half years in prison. The case marked the first of its nature in the South Korean court system.
Scammers Deepfaked Videos of Victims' Loved Ones Asking for Funds over Facebook in Vietnam
In Vietnam, to convince victims of their disguises when prompted, scammers deepfaked audios and videos of victims' friends and families asking them over Facebook to send over thousands of dollars.
TikTok User Videos Impersonated Andrew Tate Using AI Voice, Prompting Ban
A TikTok user was reportedly impersonating Andrew Tate, who was banned on the platform, by posting videos featuring an allegedly AI-generated audio of Tate's voice, which prompted his account ban.
Clarkesworld Magazine Reportedly Closed Down Submissions Due to Massive Increase in Purportedly AI-Generated Stories
Sci-fi magazine Clarkesworld is reported to have temporarily stopped accepting submissions after receiving an overwhelming increase in purportedly LLM-generated submissions.
A Purported Deepfake of Senator Elizabeth Warren Circulates Allegedly Saying Republicans Should Not Vote
In February 2023, a purported deepfake of Senator Elizabeth Warren circulated on social media in which allegedly doctored footage of her from an MSNBC interview had her claiming that she believes Republicans should not vote.
Deepfake Video Featured Fictitious News Anchors Discussing Venezuela's Economy
Video featuring fictitious news anchors was created using Synthesia to allegedly spread disinformation about Venezuela's economy on social media and Venezuelan state-run broadcast.
Carmel High School Students Reportedly Posted Racist Deepfake Videos Making New York Principal Appear to Threaten Black Students
At Carmel High School in New York, three students reportedly posted AI-generated deepfake videos on TikTok impersonating George Fischer Middle School principal John Piscitella and a sheriff's-office member making racist slurs and violent threats against Black students. The videos were reported to school officials on February 12, 2023, and parents later criticized the district's communication and safety response.
Synthesized Voices Were Reportedly Used by Torswats to Sell Swatting Calls Targeting Schools and Homes
A Telegram user or channel known as Torswats reportedly offered paid swatting services and uploaded recordings of false emergency calls using synthesized or computer-generated voices. Reported targets included high schools, private residences, streamers, businesses, and police departments; some calls prompted lockdowns, searches, or armed law-enforcement responses. The exact voice-generation tool was not identified.
AI Generated Voices Used to Dox Voice Actors
Twitter users allegedly used ElevenLab's AI voice synthesis system to impersonate and dox voice actors.
Online Scammers Tricked People into Sending Money Using AI Images of Earthquake in Turkey
AI-generated images depicting earthquakes and rescues were posted on social media platforms by scammers who tricked people into sending funds to their crypto wallets disguised as donation links for the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.
Risk Taxonomy
Caused By
Year Trend
* Oct 2026, ~320 projected full year
AIID · MIT AIRI · CC BY-SA 4.0