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
196 incidents
Perplexity AI Reportedly Misstated CLL Research, Allegedly Contributing to Delayed Treatment and Prolonged Suffering
Joseph Neal Riley reportedly used Perplexity AI to self-diagnose a rare complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and, based on that output, allegedly delayed an oncologist-recommended Ven-Obi treatment for about a year. His son, Benjamin Riley, alleges that Perplexity misstated the medical research it cited, a conclusion he purportedly later confirmed with the study's authors.
National Weather Service Reportedly Published AI-Generated Forecast Map With Fabricated Idaho Town Names
A U.S. National Weather Service office reportedly posted an AI-generated wind forecast map for Camas Prairie, Idaho that contained fabricated and misspelled place names, including non-existent towns. The image was reportedly shared publicly on social media before being deleted and corrected. NWS confirmed a generative AI tool had been used to create the base map.
Purportedly AI-Generated Images and Videos Reportedly Spread Misinformation About Nicolás Maduro's Capture on X
Following the January 2026 U.S. raid and arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, purportedly AI-generated images and videos circulated widely on platforms including X, reportedly depicting Maduro in fabricated scenarios. NewsGuard identified at least seven manipulated or synthetic visuals reaching over 14 million views, including AI-generated photos detected via Google Gemini's SynthID watermark.
Purported Deepfake Impersonation of Elon Musk Used to Promote Fraudulent '17-Hour' Diabetes Treatment Claims
A purported deepfake video reportedly circulated online falsely depicting Elon Musk endorsing a nonexistent "17-hour" diabetes cure. The reported video promoted unverified health claims and appears to have been part of a scam ecosystem exploiting Musk's public credibility. Rapper Boosie Badazz reportedly encountered and amplified the video before its purported falsity was identified.
Google AI-Generated Search Summary Reportedly Falsely Implicated Canadian Musician in Sexual Offenses, Leading to Concert Cancellation
A Google Search AI-generated summary reportedly falsely stated that Canadian musician Ashley MacIsaac had been convicted of sexual offenses, apparently due to mistaken identity. After a venue reportedly relied on the AI-generated information, a scheduled concert was cancelled. The reported false summary caused reputational and economic harm and left the musician concerned for his personal safety. Google later amended the search results after the error was identified.
Attorney in Fletcher v. Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Reportedly Submitted Reply Brief with Purportedly AI-Generated Material Misrepresentations
In Fletcher v. Experian Information Solutions, Inc., the Fifth Circuit found that attorney Heather Hersh had used generative AI to draft a substantial portion of a reply brief that contained fabricated legal support and factual representations. The court first issued a show-cause order and later imposed a $2,500 sanction, linking the filing errors to unverified AI-generated output.
Grok AI Reportedly Generated Fabricated Civilian Hero Identity During Bondi Beach Shooting
Grok reportedly generated and repeated a fabricated civilian hero identity, "Edward Crabtree," following the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia. The system reportedly cited a fake news article and misattributed heroic actions to this fictional individual during the unfolding emergency. Contemporaneous reporting identified Ahmed Al Ahmed as the real bystander who intervened and was injured during the attack.
Purportedly AI-Generated 'Eric Langford' Missing Boy Scout Hoax Circulating Across Multiple Social Media Platforms
A purportedly AI-generated fictional story falsely claimed that a Boy Scout named Eric Langford disappeared in New York in 1989 and reappeared in 2001 after being kidnapped. The reported hoax originated on the UNKNOWN Files YouTube channel and was repackaged into viral TikTok videos and AI-written blog posts promoted on Facebook, misleading millions of viewers and searchers about a fabricated missing-person case.
Reported Viral AI-Generated Photo Purportedly Shows Donald Trump Using a Walker
A fabricated image purporting to show U.S. President Donald Trump using a walker reportedly circulated widely on social media in mid-December 2025. Fact-checkers determined the image was AI-generated, citing visual anomalies and detection of Google's SynthID watermark. The image reportedly spread across multiple platforms and was shared by a political strategist, prompting public confusion and debunking by news outlets and AI detection tools.
Purported AI-Generated Image Depicting JD Vance and Usha Vance in Public Altercation Circulated on Social Media
A fabricated image purportedly depicting U.S. Vice President JD Vance arguing with his wife, Usha Vance, in a restaurant circulated on Facebook and X in December 2025. The image was later confirmed by its creator to have been generated using ChatGPT and falsely presented as an authentic photograph. The image was shared alongside speculative claims about the Vances' marriage.
Prominent AI Chatbots Allegedly Produced Incorrect UK Financial and ISA Guidance
Several major AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Meta AI, were reportedly found to have provided incorrect or misleading financial and insurance guidance for UK users. The systems allegedly advised exceeding ISA limits, misstated tax rules, gave wrong travel insurance requirements, and pointed users toward costly refund services.
NTB Report on Telenor Security Findings Was Withdrawn After AI Tool Allegedly Introduced Fabricated Quotes
NTB allegedly published a news story about Telenor's annual security report that contained purportedly AI-generated errors, including five reportedly fabricated quotes and a nonexistent "security director." The article was reportedly created with an external AI tool and was withdrawn the same morning. Telenor alerted NTB to the inaccuracies, and NTB apologized, citing improper AI use and initiating internal review of its newsroom practices.
Purportedly AI-Generated Fake Videos of Louvre Heist Reportedly Circulated Widely Online
After the October 19, 2025 jewel heist at the Louvre, purported deepfakes were reported to have circulated widely online, allegedly depicting the robbery despite being fabricated.. The clips were reportedly posted on Facebook, Douyin and RedNote, and they were noted to have featured morphing artifacts, disappearing objects, and partial Sora watermarks. AI Forensics and independent checks reportedly found the scenes inconsistent with the real Apollo Gallery, confirming the footage was not real.
West Midlands Police Reportedly Relied on Erroneous Copilot-Generated Intelligence in Maccabi Tel Aviv Away-Fan Ban Decision
West Midlands Police reportedly included inaccurate intelligence purportedly generated using Microsoft Copilot in materials used to justify banning Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending a November 2025 Europa League match against Aston Villa. The reported Copilot-linked error, which referred to a match that had not taken place, was later acknowledged by Chief Constable Craig Guildford.
Google's Bard, Gemini, and Gemma AI Systems Allegedly Generated Defamatory Claims About Activist Robby Starbuck, Prompting Lawsuit
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck reportedly filed a defamation lawsuit against Google, alleging its Bard, Gemini, and Gemma AI systems generated false statements linking him to sexual assault and extremist activity. Starbuck claims the outputs caused reputational harm and sought over $15 million in damages. Google acknowledged the hallucinations as known LLM behavior and stated it works to minimize such inaccuracies. See also Incident 1247.