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
Chinese State-Linked Operator (GTG-1002) Reportedly Uses Claude Code for Autonomous Cyber Espionage
Anthropic reportedly identified a cyber espionage campaign in which a purported Chinese state-linked group, designated GTG-1002 by Anthropic, allegedly jailbroke Claude Code and used it to automate 80–90% of multi-stage intrusions. The AI reportedly independently performed reconnaissance, vulnerability discovery, exploitation, credential harvesting, and data extraction across roughly 30 targets before the activity was detected and blocked.
Purported AI-Generated Sexual Deepfakes Allegedly Deployed in Transnational Harassment Campaign Targeting Hong Kong Exiles
Purported deepfake images of exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were reportedly mailed to neighbors and others in the UK and Australia in late 2025. The letters allegedly depicted altered sexual images and false advertisements portraying activists, including Carmen Lau, as sex workers. Police described the materials as malicious communications. The incidents were described by victims and officials as an escalation of transnational harassment and intimidation.
Rep. Mike Collins's Campaign Allegedly Produced Deepfake of Sen. Jon Ossoff Supporting the Government Shutdown
Rep. Mike Collins's congressional campaign allegedly created and posted an AI-generated video that purportedly used Sen. Jon Ossoff's portrait and synthetic voice to falsely depict him supporting the ongoing government shutdown. The video was reportedly shared on the campaign's X account with a limited disclaimer. Georgia Democrats criticized the deepfake as misleading, and the campaign reportedly indicated it would continue using similar AI tactics.
Purportedly AI-Generated Sexual Images of At Least 400 Minors at Zacatecas School Were Reportedly Created and Sold Online
A student at Escuela Secundaria Técnica No. 1 in Zacatecas, Mexico, allegedly used an AI image-generation system to create sexually explicit manipulated images of classmates. According to victims and parents, the student reportedly produced a catalog containing images of more than 400 minors, organized by grade and group, and distributed or sold the material online. Students reported that the perpetrator took photos around the school to use as inputs. The Fiscalía de Zacatecas opened an investigation for crimes against sexual privacy and offered psychological and legal support to victims. The manipulated images are reportedly believed to have circulated beyond the school.
Alleged AI-Generated Deepfake of Western Australia Premier Roger Cook Used in YouTube Investment Scam
Western Australia's Consumer Protection commissioner warned of a scam using a purported AI-generated deepfake of Premier Roger Cook to promote a fraudulent investment scheme in a YouTube pop-up ad. The manipulated video reportedly uses less than 10 seconds of real footage and voice and falsely depicts Cook endorsing "low investment, high return" opportunities. Cook called the scam "very scary," while regulators urged platforms to act on AI-driven frauds.
Meta's Automated Ad and Targeting Systems Reportedly Enabled Large-Scale Fraud Revenue
Internal Meta documents reviewed by Reuters reportedly show that the company's automated ad and targeting systems generated major revenue from fraudulent ads and exposed users to billions of scam impressions daily. Enforcement was limited by internal revenue guardrails. In one example, a Royal Canadian Air Force recruiter's account was hacked and used to run a crypto scam that defrauded several colleagues after repeated reports allegedly went unanswered.
'Citizens Against Mamdani' Accounts Reportedly Posted AI-Generated Videos of Fictional New Yorkers to Simulate Political Opposition
In New York, linked "Citizens Against Mamdani" accounts reportedly posted AI-generated videos of fictional constituents criticizing then-mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani across Instagram, TikTok, and X. Some videos reportedly displayed a visible Sora watermark, and forensic reviewers reportedly assessed at least one clip as highly likely to be a deepfake. The campaign reportedly appeared to simulate grassroots opposition and drew substantial engagement.
Balázs Orbán Allegedly Published Purported Deepfake of Péter Magyar Claiming He Would Cut Pensions
In Hungary, opposition leader Péter Magyar alleged that Viktor Orbán aide Balázs Orbán published an unlabeled deepfake video on Facebook reportedly depicting Magyar as saying he would cut and tax pensions ahead of the 2026 parliamentary election. Magyar reportedly said he would file a criminal complaint and described the video as defamatory.
Alleged Fabricated News Sites and Deepfakes Impersonated Maltese Ministers, Financial Experts, and Media to Promote NethertoxAGENT Fraud
Purportedly AI-generated deepfake videos and fabricated news pages impersonating Maltese ministers, journalists, financial experts, and major media outlets reportedly promoted the fraudulent "NethertoxAGENT" investment platform. The scam used synthetic interviews, cloned branding, and falsified testimonials to mislead social media users, reportedly inducing financial losses and prompting law enforcement concern in Malta.
Purportedly AI-Generated Deepfake Investment Ads Defrauded 5,000 Swedish Investors of 500 Million SEK
At least 5,000 Swedish investors were reportedly defrauded of around 500 million SEK (~$52.5 million USD) in 2025 through purportedly AI-generated deepfake investment ads circulated on Meta platforms. Fraudsters allegedly used fabricated videos and profiles of well-known finance figures such as journalist Gabriel Mellqvist and investor Günter Mårder to promote false stock tips in pump-and-dump schemes.
Purported Deepfake Video Impersonating Elton John Reportedly Induced Northeast Ohio Man to Authorize $20,000 in Scam Charges
A Northeast Ohio man ("Ray," pseudonym) was allegedly lured by a social-media deepfake video impersonating Elton John into a "push button" scam promising easy income from an online store. Ray reportedly said he was directed by purported "representatives" to open accounts and credit cards, after which charges accumulated to about $20,000. He later reported one card credited $9,400.
Purported Deepfake Mimicking RTÉ Broadcast Falsely Announced Irish Presidential Candidate Catherine Connolly's Withdrawal
A purported deepfake video circulated online that is alleged to have falsely depicted Irish presidential candidate Catherine Connolly announcing her withdrawal from the race. The clip reportedly mimicked an RTÉ news broadcast and spread across social media before being reported to the Electoral Commission. Connolly reportedly condemned the video as a malicious attempt to mislead voters and undermine democratic trust.
Virginia Candidate John Reid Reportedly Used AI-Generated Deepfake of Opponent Ghazala Hashmi in Simulated Political Debate
Republican Virginia lieutenant governor candidate John Reid reportedly held a 40-minute mock debate against a purportedly AI-generated version of Democratic opponent Sen. Ghazala Hashmi. The bot reportedly mimicked her voice and synthesized responses trained on her public statements. Hashmi's campaign denounced the nonconsensual likeness as a "shoddy gimmick."
Purported Deepfake Video Allegedly Shows Conservative MP George Freeman Leaving Party for Reform UK
A purported AI-generated deepfake video circulated online falsely depicting UK Conservative MP George Freeman announcing his defection to the Reform UK party. The fabricated clip, which mimicked Freeman’s likeness and voice without his knowledge or consent, included statements critical of the Conservatives and was widely shared on social media. Freeman denounced the video as disinformation, reported it to police, and warned that such synthetic media pose serious risks to democratic processes.
Purported AI-Generated Deepfake Video Reportedly Depicts Senator Chuck Schumer Endorsing Government Shutdown in NRSC Campaign Ad
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) allegedly released a 30-second campaign ad featuring a purported deepfake video of Senator Chuck Schumer repeatedly saying, "Every day gets better for us," implying enthusiasm for a government shutdown. While the video reportedly was marked as AI-generated, it was widely circulated on social media and drew criticism from journalists and researchers, who warned it could mislead voters and erode trust in authentic political communication.
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Year Trend
* Oct 2026, ~320 projected full year
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