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
271 incidents
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.
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.
Grok Reportedly Generated and Distributed Nonconsensual Sexualized Images of Adults and Minors in X Replies
Grok reportedly generated and publicly distributed nonconsensual sexualized images of real people, including adults and minors, through reply prompts on the platform. Users reportedly prompted Grok to alter photos into sexually explicit content, which was then posted in X threads, exposing victims to harm.
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.
Florida Couple Reportedly Loses $45,000 in Alleged AI-Generated Elon Musk Impersonation Scam
A Florida couple reportedly lost approximately $45,000 after scammers impersonating Elon Musk used AI-generated deepfake videos and social engineering to run a fake car giveaway and investment scheme. The victim was contacted via Facebook, moved to WhatsApp, and sent personalized videos purporting to show Musk promising prizes and returns. Believing the messages authentic, the victim transferred cash and funds before realizing no car or payout would arrive.
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.
Purportedly AI-Generated TikTok Videos Reportedly Urged 'Polexit' Campaign, Prompting Polish Government Complaint to EU
Purportedly AI-generated TikTok videos depicting young women in patriotic dress reportedly urged Poland to leave the EU ("Polexit") and spread widely in late December 2025. Poland's junior digital minister reportedly said the wave appeared to test narratives ahead of the 2027 election, and asked the European Commission to examine TikTok's DSA compliance. TikTok reportedly said it removed content that violated its rules.
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.
The New York Times Sued Perplexity for Allegedly Using Copyrighted Content and Generating False Attributions
On December 5, 2025, The New York Times sued Perplexity, alleging the company used copyrighted Times articles without permission to train its AI system and generated outputs that reproduced Times content or falsely attributed fabricated information to the newspaper. The suit claims the conduct harmed the Times's business and brand. Perplexity denies wrongdoing.
Shilpa Shetty Alleges AI-Enabled Impersonation and Misuse of Likeness in Mumbai High Court Filing
Actor Shilpa Shetty reportedly filed a petition before the Bombay High Court in Mumbai in November 2025 over alleged unauthorized use of her identity in AI-generated deepfakes and manipulated media. In response, the court issued interim orders directing the removal of such content and restraining further dissemination. Shetty argues the material infringes her privacy and personality rights and sought measures to halt and remove misleading, nonconsensual depictions.
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.
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.