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
314 incidents
Error-Prone AI Accessibility Tools Reportedly Lead to Navigation Issues for Blind Internet Users
AI-powered accessibility overlays on websites frequently mislabel or misinterpret content, in turn complicating navigation for blind users and others with disabilities. Users report that the AI tools interfere with screen readers and mislead them with inaccurate descriptions. The reported unreliability in these tools have prompted legal action, as the companies behind them seek compliance with accessibility laws.
California Homeowner Reportedly Loses Insurance After Purported Aerial Imagery-Based Roof Assessment
A California homeowner's insurance policy was reportedly not renewed after CSAA relied on aerial imagery, purportedly analyzed by an AI system, to assess the roof as having reached the end of its life. The homeowner, Cindy Picos, reportedly commissioned an independent inspection suggesting the roof had a decade of remaining life, but CSAA declined to reverse the decision. The insurer reportedly did not provide the imagery for review.
ChatGPT Glitch Disrupts User Interactions with Nonsensical Outputs
ChatGPT experienced a bug causing it to produce unexpected and nonsensical responses, leading to widespread reports of user confusion and concern. OpenAI identified and fixed the language processing bug, restoring normal service.
Meta's AI Ad Platform Reportedly Causes Overspending and Poor Performance
Meta's automated ad platform "Advantage Plus" caused advertisers to exceed their daily ad budgets. The cost per impressions (CPMs) surged far above the usual. This incident, which persisted into April, affected small businesses with overspending and lack of transparency.
A Self-Driving Waymo Robotaxi Reportedly Collided with a Bicyclist
A Waymo robotaxi in San Francisco reportedly failed to detect a cyclist obscured by a truck, resulting in a collision with minor injuries, at 17th and Mississippi Streets in Potrero Hill. The incident reportedly demonstrated a vulnerability in autonomous vehicles' ability to safely navigate complex urban environments.
Facial Recognition System in Buenos Aires Triggers Police Checks Based on False Matches
Buenos Aires's facial recognition system mistakenly flagged innocent people as criminals, leading to wrongful stops and detentions. Judicial investigations indicate the technology may have been misused for unauthorized surveillance and data collection. Despite privacy risks, the system has been used widely without full disclosure of standards or safeguards,
Two Passengers Report Feeling Trapped in Waymo Car During Sensor Obstruction
During a nighttime Waymo ride in San Francisco, an individual reportedly blocked the sensors of an autonomous vehicle, leaving passengers Robert Moreno and his husband feeling trapped and unsure how to proceed. Waymo's support team reportedly advised the riders to stay inside the vehicle for safety. The individual reportedly left after a few minutes without further escalation.
Gunshot Detection Technology ShotSpotter (now SoundThinking) Reportedly Only Has 47% Accuracy in Chicago System
SoundThinking's (formerly ShotSpotter's) system in Chicago, with a reported 47% accuracy rate for detecting actual gunshots, led to potential public safety risks by failing to alert police to real shootings, possibly delaying emergency response to violent incidents and misdirecting law enforcement resources.
Chevrolet Dealer Chatbot Agrees to Sell Tahoe for $1
A Chevrolet dealer's AI chatbot, powered by ChatGPT, humorously agreed to sell a 2024 Chevy Tahoe for just $1, following a user's crafted prompt. The chatbot's response, "That's a deal, and that's a legally binding offer – no takesies backsies," was the result of the user manipulating the chatbot's objective to agree with any statement. The incident highlights the susceptibility of AI technologies to manipulation and the importance of human oversight.
Waymo Software Flaw Reportedly Leads to Double Collision with Tow Truck
Two Waymo autonomous vehicles reportedly hit the same tow truck under unusual towing conditions due to a software misinterpretation in Phoenix, Arizona. Waymo reportedly issued a software recall and updated its fleet to prevent future such incidents.
Stacking robot fatally crushes employee in South Korea
An industrial robot is reported to have crushed a man to death in South Korea when it failed to differentiate the man from the boxes of produce it was handling.
AI Camera Allegedly Misidentifies Dutch Motorist as Using Mobile Phone, Issuing €380 Fine
A Dutch smart camera on the A2 equipped with AI falsely identified a motorist as using a mobile phone while driving, issuing a €380 fine. The driver, Tim Hanssen, was scratching his head when the AI system misclassified the action.
Cruise's Autonomous Vehicles Allegedly Engaging in Risky Behavior Near Pedestrians
Cruise's driverless vehicles are under federal investigation for possibly failing to exhibit due caution around crosswalks and pedestrians, with reports including one severe injury incident.
A Self-Driving Cruise Robot Taxi Reportedly Struck and Dragged a Pedestrian 20 Feet
Cruise has settled for between $8 million and $12 million with a pedestrian dragged by one of its autonomous vehicles in October 2023. The incident, where the pedestrian was initially hit by a human-driven car and then dragged 20 feet by the Cruise vehicle, led to the suspension of Cruise's operations and increased regulatory scrutiny.
Gannett Halts AI-Generated High School Sports Articles After Series of Errors and Public Backlash
Gannett, a newspaper chain, temporarily halted its AI experiment that used a tool called LedeAI to generate high school sports articles. The decision came after several articles produced by the AI showed glaring errors, repetitive language, and awkward phrasing, drawing criticism and mockery on social media.