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
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.
Reported Deepfake of Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and Journalist Mark Laurence Zammit Used to Promote Fraudulent Investment
A deepfake scam allegedly used AI-generated audio to mimic Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and journalist Mark Laurence Zammit, falsely portraying them as endorsing an investment scheme. The fraudulent video repurposed genuine interview footage from 2022 but replaced the original dialogue with AI-generated voices.
AI-Driven Phishing Scam Uses Deepfake Robocalls to Target Gmail Users in Credential Theft Campaign
A sophisticated AI-powered phishing scam has reportedly been targeting between 1.8 to 2.5 billion Gmail users, allegedly using deepfake robocalls and phishing emails to steal credentials. Attackers impersonate Google security. They claim suspicious account activity and direct victims to fake Google login pages. The stolen credentials have reportedly been used for identity theft, banking fraud, and session hijacking. The FBI has urged vigilance as AI increases the scale and effectiveness of such attacks.
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.
Nottingham Gallery Owner Allegedly Defrauded by Deepfake Impersonating Pierce Brosnan, Reportedly Leading to Business Closure
Nottingham gallery owner Simone Simms was allegedly deceived over many months by a deepfake impersonating actor Pierce Brosnan. Believing she was in direct contact with Brosnan, she reportedly arranged an art exhibition and sold £20,000 in tickets. When the real Brosnan denied involvement, Simms reportedly canceled the event and issued refunds. Despite acting in good faith, she reportedly faced reputational and financial harm, which led to the gallery’s closure in August 2024.
Reportedly Viral USAID Disinformation Video Linked to Russian-Aligned Campaign Known as Matryoshka
A video that reportedly went viral on X in early February 2025 claimed USAID paid celebrities to visit Ukraine. The clip mimicked E! News branding and included a narrator with a British accent. Individuals and organizations named denied any involvement. Researchers attributed the video to Matryoshka (AKA Operation Overload and Storm-1679), an influence campaign suspected of using AI-generated narration and editing, though tool use has not been independently confirmed.
AI Voice Scam Allegedly Defrauds Game and Coffee Store in Havre, Montana
A Montana business, Sugar and Dice, was reportedly targeted by an AI voice scam that cloned the store owner's voice to deceive an employee over the phone. The scammer allegedly spoofed both the owner's and the employee's phone numbers, making the call appear legitimate. Believing he was following his employer’s instructions, the employee unknowingly compromised financial details. The store suffered monetary losses but plans to recover.
Fraudsters Allegedly Use AI-Generated Voice of Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto to Scam Business Leaders
In February 2025, scammers allegedly used AI voice cloning to impersonate Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, calling top business leaders and reportedly claiming to need funds to free kidnapped journalists. Massimo Moratti was allegedly the only confirmed victim to send nearly €1M, wiring it to accounts in the Netherlands and Hong Kong before realizing the fraud. The scam involved spoofed government numbers, deepfake audio, and international money laundering networks. Police reportedly froze the funds.
Purported Graphite Spyware Linked to Paragon Solutions Allegedly Deployed Against Journalists and Civil Society Workers
Researchers at Citizen Lab and Censys reportedly identified spyware infections involving Graphite, a tool attributed to Israeli firm Paragon Solutions. The spyware was allegedly deployed against civil society actors, including journalists and aid workers, through a zero-click WhatsApp exploit. WhatsApp notified over 90 targeted individuals. Evidence reportedly suggests deployments in multiple democratic countries.
Alleged Deepfake Scam Uses BBC Presenter Naga Munchetty’s Image to Promote Fraudulent Investment Scheme
BBC presenter Naga Munchetty was reportedly targeted in an AI-generated scam using deepfake images and fake news articles to promote a fraudulent investment scheme. Scam ads on social media allegedly featured manipulated images of Munchetty and linked to a fake BBC article directing users to a cyber trading website. The BBC legal team is reported to have taken action to remove the fraudulent site.
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.
Purportedly AI-Generated Deepfake Reportedly Used to Impersonate DNB Bank CFO and CEO in Live Teams Meeting
Unknown cybercriminals reportedly used purported deepfakes to impersonate DNB Bank's CFO and CEO during a live Microsoft Teams meeting, instructing employees at the bank's Singapore office to transfer millions of Singapore dollars. The video and voice were allegedly cloned from public footage and appeared convincing. DNB identified the attempt as a "CEO fraud" and avoided losses, calling it their first encounter with a live deepfake meeting.
Purported AI-Manipulated News Clip Fabricates Explosion and Doctor's Murder Plot for Scam
A purported AI-manipulated video falsely showing Citizen TV anchor Swaleh Mdoe reporting on the bombing of a Kenyan doctor's home circulated widely on Facebook. The video reportedly used AI-generated audio and visuals to fabricate a conspiracy in which pharmaceutical companies targeted the doctor for promoting a "miracle cure." In reality, the explosion footage was from Ohio, the doctor was fictitious, and the content aimed to manipulate viewers into purchasing an unproven health product.
Alleged AI-Driven Phishing Scam Impersonates Maine Town Official to Falsely Request $22,500
An alleged AI-generated phishing email targeted a resident of Gray, Maine, falsely claiming to be from the town’s planning department. The alleged email, bearing a fake signature and official-looking letterhead, requested $22,500 for a zoning board meeting. Town officials have reportedly warned residents of increasing risks posed by AI-enabled scams, emphasizing that the town does not accept electronic payments and urging vigilance against similar fraudulent emails.
Tennessee Meteorologist's Likeness Reportedly Used in Sextortion Campaign Involving Purported AI-Generated Content
Bree Smith, a meteorologist in Nashville, Tennessee, was reportedly targeted in a sextortion campaign involving purported AI-generated deepfakes that manipulated her likeness into explicit content. According to reporting, Smith's face was digitally placed onto semi-nude and nude bodies, with the resulting media circulated online by impersonators seeking money. Smith documented the spread of these accounts and has advocated for legislative responses, including a new Tennessee bill addressing deepfake-related harms.