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
'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.
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.
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-Enabled Pro-Russian Influence Campaign Centered on Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré and Disseminated Across African Media
Reports describe a purported AI-enabled influence and disinformation campaign centered on Burkina Faso's junta leader Ibrahim Traoré. Dozens of purported AI-generated or AI-manipulated videos, allegedly produced by groups such as Black Rebellion and Univers Inspirant, have circulated widely across African media promoting pro-Traoré and pro-Russian narratives, with similar synthetic content appearing during regional conflicts and political events.
YouTube Channel Reportedly Posts Purported Deepfake Video of Rajat Sharma Announcing India-Bangladesh Conflict
A purported deepfake video depicting Indian journalist Rajat Sharma reporting on a potential India-Bangladesh war was uploaded to the YouTube channel The Real Report. Fact-checkers reportedly found no such broadcast existed and, according to their metrics, verified that the clip was likely AI-generated.
Gaggle Alert Reportedly Leads to Arrest of 15-Year-Old in Volusia County, Florida, for School Threat the Student Claimed Was Not Serious
A 15-year-old student in Volusia County, Florida, was reportedly detained after the Gaggle student monitoring system flagged a written shooting threat on a school-issued laptop. The student reportedly claims the threat was not serious. The alert reportedly led to the student's arrest on felony charges. The system appeared to operate as designed but reportedly resulted in criminal enforcement against a minor.
Russian Disinformation Campaign Reportedly Used AI-Generated Posts and Videos to Target 2025 Moldovan Parliamentary Elections
Researchers and European officials reported that Russian operatives have been using purportedly AI-generated posts, videos, and websites to influence Moldova's September 2025 parliamentary elections. Networks of over 900 accounts across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube have reportedly spread fabricated narratives, including reportedly misogynistic and false smears of President Maia Sandu.
Philippines Senate Hearing Featured Reports of Purported AI-Generated Deepfake Pornography Targeting Actress Angel Aquino and Content Creator Queen Hera's Daughter
In Manila, actress Angel Aquino reportedly said in a hearing how AI-generated deepfake porn video unlawfully used her face. She reportedly testified at a Senate hearing led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and urged punishment for creators and those sharing the purported deepfakes. Influencer Queen Hera also reported a deepfake image of her daughter on the dark web; tools and perpetrators were reportedly not identified.
Nigeria-Based YouTube Network Allegedly Uses AI Voiceovers and Anchors to Amplify Pro-Kremlin Narratives
A network of five Nigeria-based YouTube channels reportedly drew millions of views while purportedly amplifying Kremlin-aligned narratives. The channels allegedly used AI-generated anchors and synthetic voiceovers to present repurposed interviews with pro-Russian commentators Scott Ritter and Douglas Macgregor. Attribution of the network's motives and funding remains uncertain, with reported possibilities ranging from freelance monetization to proxy involvement in influence operations.
Joann Fabrics Shoppers Reportedly Defrauded by AI-Generated Scam Sites, Part of Purported Wave of ~100,000 Fake Domains Across 194 Brands
Consumers were allegedly defrauded by AI-generated scam websites impersonating Joann Fabrics following the retailer's bankruptcy. The alleged impostor sites reportedly used Joann's branding to steal credit card details and personal data and leaving victims without products. Cybersecurity firm Netcraft estimated that nearly 100,000 domains created with AI tools were impersonating 194 brands, accounting for a reported 6–7% of global phishing activity.
New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA), Te Mana Tātai Hokohoko, Reportedly Flags Purported Deepfake Pump-and-Dump Network Using Social Media Ads
The New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA), Te Mana Tātai Hokohoko, reportedly warned of a global AI-enabled "pump-and-dump" scam that used purported deepfake videos of prominent New Zealand business leaders in Facebook and Instagram ads to lure investors into fake WhatsApp investment groups. Victims were allegedly urged to buy low-value foreign shares to inflate prices, then defrauded through a follow-on "recovery" scam.
Purported AI Monitoring Software Reportedly Flags Unsent Joke Threat, Leading to Arizona Student Suspension
AI monitoring software on a school-issued laptop reportedly flagged a Marana High School (of Arizona) student's allegedly unsent joke email containing a violent threat. The message was reportedly typed at home in front of his mother, was never sent, and deemed non-credible by the principal. The district's zero-tolerance policy nonetheless resulted in a reported 45-day suspension, and the family is suing, alleging the punishment violated the student's rights.
Purported Oprah Deepfake Reportedly Induced Utah Woman to Buy Misrepresented Weight Loss Supplements
A Utah woman, Lisa Swearingen, reported paying more than $400 for weight loss supplements after seeing online ads featuring a purported Oprah Winfrey deepfake endorsement. When the product arrived, she said its primary ingredient was turmeric rather than the advertised formula.
Alleged Marine Park Orca Attack on 'Jessica Radcliffe' Reportedly an AI-Generated Hoax
Fact-checkers reported that a viral video claiming to show a marine trainer named Jessica Radcliffe killed by an orca was purportedly fabricated. Investigations found no record of Radcliffe's existence or of such an attack. The video reportedly used AI-generated voiceovers and unrelated footage, borrowing details from real orca incidents to appear credible. The hoax reportedly spread widely online over social media.