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
538 incidents
Deepfake Audio Falsely Attributes Controversial Remarks to Keir Starmer About the Rochdale Azhar Ali Crisis
A deepfake audio clip, falsely claiming to be Keir Starmer discussing the Rochdale byelection and Labour's withdrawl of support for Azhar Ali, circulated online, achieving over 250,000 views. Experts confirmed its inauthenticity, highlighting a significant misuse of AI in fabricating political content.
Purported Deepfake Video Allegedly Claims Kyiv's Assassination Plan Against President Emmanuel Macron
A purported deepfake video reportedly claimed France 24 reported a Kyiv plot to assassinate French President Macron. This reported fake news was debunked by France 24, which confirmed the video was altered and did not air any such report.
Deepfake of Long-Deceased Suharto Circulating in Run-up to February 2024 Indonesian Elections
An AI-generated deepfake of Suharto, the deceased Indonesian dictator, was generated and circulated by the Golkar Party ahead of the February 2024 Indonesian elections. This video, which aimed to influence voter perceptions by invoking Suharto's legacy, sought to manipulate public opinion and misused deceased individuals' likenesses for political gain. The incident is another example of political deepfakes creating convincing misinformation.
Many Purported Political Deepfakes Reportedly Circulating in Run-up to 2024 Pakistani General Elections
During Pakistan's 2024 general elections, purportedly AI-generated deepfakes of a politically motivated nature were circulated. These deepfakes reportedly portrayed political figures in misleading contexts, spreading misinformation and aiming to influence voter perceptions and election outcomes.
Alleged Deepfake Audio of Imran Khan Calls for Election Boycott, Misleading Pakistan Voters
A purported deepfake audio clip, falsely attributed to Imran Khan urging a PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) election boycott, circulated on social media on the eve of Pakistan's general elections. This sophisticated AI-generated misinformation aimed to mislead voters, highlighting the growing challenge of digital manipulation in political discourse.
Purported Russian-Linked Network Allegedly Used Deepfake of Maria Ressa on Facebook and Bing to Promote Cryptocurrency Scam Targeting Filipinos
A purportedly Russian-linked scam network allegedly circulated an AI-generated deepfake of journalist Maria Ressa on Facebook and Microsoft Bing. The video reportedly manipulated a 2022 interview to falsely depict Ressa endorsing cryptocurrency. Fraudulent websites allegedly impersonating Rappler and CNN Philippines reportedly amplified the scam. Investigators reportedly linked the operation to a fraudulent network targeting Filipino audiences. Meta and Microsoft removed the content, but similar scams allegedly continue to resurface.
Alleged Deepfake CFO Scam Reportedly Costs Multinational Engineering Firm Arup $25 Million
A finance employee at the multinational engineering firm Arup was reportedly deceived into transferring $25 million by fraudsters using purported deepfake technology to impersonate the firm's CFO in a video call, according to the Hong Kong police.
Glasgow Man Allegedly Used AI Tool to Create and Share Nonconsensual Deepfake Nude Images of Former Classmate
In February 2024, a Glasgow man, Callum Brooks, reportedly used an AI-powered image-alteration tool to create deepfake nude images of a woman he knew from school by modifying her publicly posted social media photos. He allegedly sent the fabricated intimate images to two friends without her consent. The woman was reportedly embarrassed and distressed after learning of the images. Brooks pled guilty in Glasgow Sheriff Court and was fined £335.
GOP Pollster Reportedly Shares Purportedly AI-Generated Images to Fabricate Appearance of Black Voter Support
Purportedly AI-generated images circulated by GOP pollster Patrick Ruffini reportedly depicted Black men appearing to support the Republican Party shortly before Black History Month. The allegedly fabricated photos created a misleading impression of racial diversity within the GOP and may have shaped public perception. The episode raises concerns about the reported use of AI to distort political representation and the potential impact on Black communities.
Network of 171 AI-Powered Bots Reportedly Spread Political Disinformation Ahead of Ghana’s December 2024 General Election
A network of 171 bot accounts on X are alleged to have used ChatGPT to generate political content supporting Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its presidential candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia, ahead of the December 2024 election. The AI-generated posts reportedly praised Bawumia while spreading disinformation targeting the opposition candidate, John Mahama, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Purported Deepfake of Andrew Forrest Used to Promote Fraudulent 'Quantum AI' Crypto Platform on Facebook
Cybertrace reportedly identified a purported deepfake of Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest circulating on Facebook on January 27, 2024, falsely depicting him endorsing a fraudulent crypto platform called Quantum AI. The video reportedly altered footage from a 2023 Rhodes Trust talk. Forrest reportedly condemned Meta for failing to curb AI-generated frauds.
Significant Increase in Deepfake Nudes of Taylor Swift Circulating on Social Media
AI-generated sexually explicit images of Taylor Swift circulated on X, garnering over 45 million views before removal. Originating from a Telegram group, these deepfakes challenge content moderation, as X's policies against synthetic media and nonconsensual nudity were violated.
Fake Biden Voice in Robocall Misleads New Hampshire Democratic Voters in 2024 Primary Election
A robocall imitating President Biden's voice urged New Hampshire Democrats to skip the 2024 primary, falsely claiming their votes mattered more in November. Investigators with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, along with other state AGs, the Industry Traceback Group, and the FCC determined that political consultant Steve Kramer hired Paul Carpenter to create the deepfake, which was distributed by Walter Monk's company, Life Corporation. Rep. Dean Phillips, who employed Kramer, has distanced himself from the incident. Kathy Sullivan, the former New Hampshire Democratic Party chair, was falsely impersonated in the caller ID data used for the robocalls.
Purportedly AI-Manipulated Medical Scam Advertisement Reportedly Used Bulgarian TV Host and Physician's Likenesses
A purportedly AI-manipulated scam advertisement circulating online appeared to use the likenesses and altered media of Bulgarian television host Simeon Ivanov and physician Spas Spaskov to promote an unregistered purported joint-treatment product. They reportedly denied involvement, and the product was described in reporting as ineffective.
High School Athletic Director in Baltimore County Allegedly Created Racist Deepfake Audio Impersonating Principal
Dazhon Darien, former athletic director at Pikesville High School in Baltimore, allegedly used AI to create a purported deepfake audio clip impersonating Principal Eric Eiswert, embedding racist and antisemitic remarks. According to reports, the clip was intended to discredit Eiswert and was widely circulated, with some accounts linking it to threats and his placement on administrative leave. On April 28, 2025, Darien was reportedly sentenced to four months in jail after pleading guilty to disturbing school operations.