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
566 incidents
Purportedly AI-Cloned Voice Allegedly Used to Defraud Play School Owner of ₹97,500 (~$1,080 USD) in Indore, India
A woman who runs a play school in Indore, India, was reportedly defrauded of ₹97,500 (approximately $1,080 USD) after a fraudster allegedly used AI-based voice cloning to impersonate her cousin, an Uttar Pradesh police employee, and claim a friend needed urgent cardiac surgery. The victim was reportedly persuaded to transfer funds via QR codes before discovering no money had actually been credited.
Purported Deepfake Videos Reportedly Impersonated Yanis Varoufakis on YouTube and Social Media
Purported deepfake videos using the face and voice of Greek economist and politician Yanis Varoufakis were reportedly circulated on YouTube and other social platforms in late 2025 and early 2026. The videos depicted a synthetic version of Varoufakis delivering fabricated political statements, including about international events. Platforms reportedly removed some videos, but many reappeared under new accounts.
Reported AI Impersonations of Pastors Used in Online Donation and Influence Scams
Religious communities in the U.S. and abroad reported the circulation of purportedly AI-generated videos and cloned audio impersonating pastors and church leaders, including Father Mike Schmitz, to solicit donations and spread incendiary sermons. The impersonations reportedly leveraged synthetic voice and likeness tools and were distributed via platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and messaging apps. Some content remained unlabeled as AI-generated and was treated as authentic by viewers.
Purported Deepfake Impersonating Elon Musk Allegedly Defrauded Elderly U.S. Woman of $50,000 via Gift Card–to-Crypto Scam
An 80-year-old U.S. woman was reportedly deceived by scammers using purportedly AI-generated messages and deepfake media impersonating Elon Musk into believing she was in a romantic relationship with him. The perpetrators allegedly induced her to buy over $50,000 in Apple gift cards to be converted into cryptocurrency, leaving her financially endangered and at risk of foreclosure on her home.
Reported AI-Generated Deepfake Romance Scam Allegedly Used to Steal One Bitcoin From Recently Divorced Investor
A recently divorced Bitcoin investor reportedly lost his entire retirement fund, one full Bitcoin, after being deceived by a purportedly AI-enabled romance scam. The perpetrator allegedly used AI-generated portraits and real-time deepfake video calls to pose as a romantic partner and trusted crypto trader, persuading the victim to transfer cryptocurrency through a "pig-butchering" scheme that displayed fake profits and made recovery impossible.
Purported Deepfake Video Allegedly Used to Harass Washington State Patrol Trooper
A Washington State Patrol trooper filed a lawsuit alleging that coworkers circulated a purported AI-generated deepfake video falsely depicting him in an intimate encounter with another trooper. According to the complaint, the non-consensual video was shared within the workplace and contributed to harassment and discrimination based on his sexual orientation. The creator of the video has not been publicly identified, and the agency has declined to comment due to pending litigation.
Madhya Pradesh Congress Alleges AI-Generated Images Were Submitted in National Water Award Process
A political dispute reportedly emerged in India after the Madhya Pradesh Congress alleged that AI-generated images were uploaded to a government platform in connection with water conservation works linked to the National Water Awards. District officials reportedly denied that the images influenced the award process, stating that evaluations relied on verified data and field inspections and that a limited number of AI-generated images appeared only on a separate educational portal.
Purported Deepfake Investment Video Reportedly Used in Scam That Defrauded Turkish Couple of 1.5 Million Lira (~$35,000 USD)
İsa Kereci and Hale Kereci, a married couple in Samsun, Turkey, reportedly lost 1.5 million lira after being deceived by an alleged AI-generated investment video on Facebook. The scammers allegedly used the video to build credibility and then guided them through staged "investment" steps, including screen sharing, fees, forced loans, and unauthorized bank and credit card transfers. The couple filed a criminal complaint, reporting severe financial harm and significant emotional distress.
Senior Kerala Congress Leader N. Subrahmanian Reportedly Booked for Sharing Purportedly AI-Generated Defamatory Image of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
A senior Indian National Congress leader in Kerala, N. Subrahmanian, was reportedly booked by police after sharing a digitally altered image on Facebook depicting Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alongside a suspect in a gold theft case. Police reportedly stated that at least one circulated image was created using AI tools and that the post allegedly sought to provoke enmity and mislead the public.
Purportedly AI-Manipulated Image Reported to Falsely Depict Taiwanese Politician Kao Chia-yu Posing With PRC Flag
In late December 2025, an altered image reportedly circulated online falsely depicting former Taiwanese legislator Kao Chia-yu posing in front of the PRC five-star flag, implying travel to or alignment with China. Reporting indicates the image was manipulated from a real photo taken at Taiwan's representative office in New York, replacing the Republic of China flag. Kao publicly debunked the image, citing AI-assisted disinformation and warning of political smearing ahead of elections.
Purported Deepfake Endorsements Reportedly Used to Promote Fraudulent Health and Investment Products in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Purported deepfake videos and images impersonating Montenegrin MP and surgeon Vladimir Dobričanin and other public figures were reportedly used in Facebook and Instagram ads to promote fraudulent health products and investment schemes in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The impersonations allegedly directed users to scam websites linked to firms such as Digital Edge and Nearest Edge, reportedly causing harm while evading timely platform enforcement.
School's Suspected AI-Cheating Allegation Precedes Student's Reported Suicide in Greater Noida, India
A 16-year-old student in Greater Noida, India, reportedly died by suicide after being questioned by school authorities over suspected use of AI tools during a pre-board examination. The student's family alleges she was publicly reprimanded and mentally harassed following the incident, contributing to severe distress. School officials deny harassment and state disciplinary actions followed exam rules.
Purported AI-Generated Videos Depicted George Will Reportedly Commenting on Trump and Supreme Court Rulings
Purported AI-generated deepfake videos circulated online depicting conservative columnist George Will reportedly offering commentary on U.S. President Donald Trump and Supreme Court rulings. The videos were reportedly posted to YouTube and other platforms and used manipulated interview footage and synthetic audio to present fabricated legal claims.
Reported AI-Generated Deepfake Videos Impersonating Elon Musk and Dragon’s Den Allegedly Used in Cryptocurrency Investment Scam Targeting Canadian Victims
Two Canadian investors in Ontario and Prince Edward Island reportedly lost a combined $2.3 million after being deceived by purportedly AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating Elon Musk and the television program Dragon's Den. The reported videos and fabricated online dashboards allegedly persuaded the victims to transfer funds into a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme that displayed fake profits and blocked withdrawals.
Purported Deepfake Impersonating Sudha Murty Reportedly Promoted Quantum AI India Investment Scam via Spoofed News Link
A purported deepfake impersonating Rajya Sabha MP and Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty circulated on social media urging viewers to click a link for "investment opportunities." The link allegedly directed users to a spoofed news website intended to collect personal details and promoted a "Quantum AI India" investment platform. Murty publicly warned the video was AI-generated and fraudulent.