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
56 incidents
Purported AI-Generated Video Depicts Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso Delivering Speech on Western Exploitation
A video reportedly published on May 25, 2025, claimed to show Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré delivering a forceful speech against Western media and exploitation. The video, which purportedly used AI-generated visuals and audio, was shared widely on social platforms. Despite containing disclaimers identifying it as fictional, the video was reportedly circulated and interpreted by some viewers as authentic.
Grok Chatbot Reportedly Inserted Content About South Africa and 'White Genocide' in Unrelated User Queries
xAI's Grok chatbot reportedly inserted unsolicited references to "white genocide" in South Africa into a wide array of unrelated conversations on X. These reported interjections introduced inflammatory, racially charged content into otherwise neutral threads.
Fact-Checkers Identify Viral Photo of Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré with 'Wife and Children' as AI-Generated Composite
A manipulated image allegedly showing Burkina Faso junta leader Ibrahim Traoré with a wife and three children circulated widely on social media. Investigations by GhanaFact and others concluded the image was altered using AI tools, merging Traoré's likeness from a 2023 Russia-Africa summit photo with fabricated figures. The harm stems from the spread of false personal information about a political figure, potentially shaping public perception through synthetic, misleading media.
Reported AI-Generated Video Purportedly Depicting Keanu Reeves Debating Elon Musk Circulates as Misinformation on Social Media
In April 2025, a video circulated online reportedly depicting a televised debate between Keanu Reeves and Elon Musk about AI. The video, posted by the YouTube channel Voices of Change, purportedly used AI-generated voice and visual content to simulate the event. Independent analysis found signs of deepfake audio and imagery, and no credible evidence supported the event's existence.
Misleading Deepfake Video of Trump Mocking Zelenskyy for Clothing Goes Viral on Facebook
In March 2025, an AI-generated deepfake video of Donald Trump criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his clothing circulated widely on Facebook. In the video, Trump mocks Zelenskyy by calling him "Temu Zelenskyy." The video was created by a parody YouTube channel using AI voice and face synthesis tools, but it was reportedly mistaken by some viewers as real.
AI-Generated OB-GYN Health Influencers on TikTok Used Fake Medical Credentials to Promote Dubious Advice
AI-generated avatars posing as OB-GYNs on TikTok, part of the so-called, crudely termed "Coochie Doctor" trend, have been falsely claiming years of experience while promoting dubious health advice. Many, including an avatar named "Violet," were created using the Captions app, which generates scripted AI influencers.
Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei Reportedly Shared AI-Generated Video Depicting Fareed Zakaria Praising Sudan Diplomacy
Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Korir Sing’Oei shared a purportedly AI-generated deepfake video that allegedly depicted CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria praising Kenya's peace diplomacy in Sudan. After reported backlash from the public and journalists on X (Twitter), Sing'Oei deleted the video, but there were reportedly concerns that Kenya's diplomatic credibility was undermined.
Video Reportedly Created with AI Appears to Show Trump Backing Biafra Secession
In February 2025, a video circulated on Facebook that appeared to show U.S. President Donald Trump expressing support for Biafran independence and calling for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu. However, fact-checkers reportedly traced the visuals to a 2021 BBC video unrelated to Biafra; they noted signs of AI manipulation. The altered clip reportedly used tools such as ElonTalks to generate synthetic audio and video from a user-submitted script.
Purported AI-Generated Audio Was Reportedly Used to Claim Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Expressed Support for Imran Khan in Pakistani Parliament
A reported viral video that was circulated in Pakistan featured purported AI-generated audio depicting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressing support for jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan during his 2025 visit. The video is described as having reused footage from 2020 and featured AI-generated audio that fabricated remarks Erdoğan never made. The synthetic voice was reportedly confirmed by forensic tools and audio analysis.
AI Tools Reportedly Used to Fabricate Image of 5,000-Naira Nigerian Banknote Featuring President Bola Tinubu
An image circulated on Nigerian social media in late January 2025 purporting to show a newly issued 5,000-naira banknote featuring President Bola Tinubu. The Central Bank of Nigeria denied the claim, and fact-checkers reported that the image was likely generated using an AI tool linked to the platform X, based on a visible Grok watermark.
Purported AI-Generated Video Reportedly Depicts Trump Criticizing Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
In late January and early February 2025, a video circulated on Facebook purporting to show U.S. President Donald Trump calling former Kenyan deputy president Rigathi Gachagua a "criminal" and criticizing his alleged misuse of AI. However, fact-checkers have reported the video was AI-generated. The footage appears to have been manipulated from Trump's inauguration speech on January 20, 2025, with reported mismatched lip movements and audio overlays.
Uruguayan TV Program Santo y Seña Uses a Deepfake of Political Candidate Yamandú Orsi Without His Consent
Uruguayan TV program Santo y Seña, hosted by Ignacio Álvarez, used AI to create a virtual representation of political candidate Yamandú Orsi, who declined an appearance. Nevertheless, without Orsi's permission, an AI-generated "Orsi" was shown alongside Andrés Ojeda, a rival candidate who appeared in person on the program.
Purportedly AI-Generated Images Reportedly Spread Misinformation During Hurricane Helene Response
During Hurricane Helene (September 24-29, 2024), purportedly AI-generated images circulated on social media, reportedly misleading the public and hindering disaster response efforts. Reportedly fake images including animals stranded on rooftops and political figures in floodwaters added confusion and disrupted emergency management. The spread of these images allegedly exacerbated existing challenges, including power outages and communication failures, all of which led to complications providing accurate information to those in need.
Pieces Technologies' Clinical AI Systems Allegedly Marketed With Misleading Performance Claims
The Texas Attorney General announced a settlement with Pieces Technologies following allegations that the company misrepresented the accuracy of its healthcare AI systems used for clinical documentation. The state concluded that marketing claims about low error and hallucination rates may have misled hospitals and clinicians relying on the tools in patient care settings. The settlement imposed restrictions on future claims and required greater transparency around performance and risk.
AI-Generated Fake 'True Crime' Video About Non-Existent Littleton Murder Goes Viral
An AI-generated "true crime" video on YouTube falsely depicted a Littleton man's "secret gay love affair" and murder by his stepson. The 25-minute video, which garnered nearly 2 million views, fabricated details and used deepfake technology to deceive viewers into believing the story was real. Despite being flagged as false by local authorities and lacking credible sources, the video sparked widespread misinformation and outrage online.