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
682 incidents
Alleged Gender Discrimination in Facebook Job Ads Algorithm
Facebook's ad delivery algorithm allegedly disproportionately showed job advertisements to one gender. Despite claims of non-discrimination, the algorithm's actions seem to perpetuate societal biases, which in turn could potentially limit opportunities for certain groups and hinder gender equity in the workplace.
Instagram Algorithms Allegedly Promote Accounts Facilitating Child Sex Abuse Content
An investigation disclosed that Instagram's recommendation algorithms are promoting accounts that facilitate and sell child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The study, conducted by The Wall Street Journal and researchers at Stanford University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, indicates that Instagram's algorithms not only allow for the discovery of such accounts through keyword searches but also actively recommend them to users within the network. The issue is especially concerning given Instagram's popularity among teenagers.
Racial Bias in Lung Function Diagnostic Algorithm Leads to Underdiagnosis in Black Men
A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that racial bias built into a commonly used medical diagnostic algorithm for lung function may be leading to underdiagnoses of breathing problems in Black men. The study suggests that as many as 40% more Black male patients might have been accurately diagnosed if the software were not racially biased. The software algorithm adjusts diagnostic thresholds based on race, affecting medical treatments and interventions.
Chatbot Tessa gives unauthorized diet advice to users seeking help for eating disorders
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has shut down its chatbot named Tessa after it gave weight-loss advice to users seeking help for eating disorders. The incident has raised concerns about the risks of using chatbots and AI assistants in healthcare settings, particularly in addressing sensitive issues like eating disorders. NEDA is investigating the matter, emphasizing the need for caution and accuracy when utilizing technology to provide mental health support.
Unrepresented Litigant Misled by ChatGPT-Generated False Legal Citations in Manchester Court
A litigant in person (LiP) in a Manchester civil case presented false legal citations generated by ChatGPT. It fabricated one case name and provided fictitious excerpts for three real cases, misleadingly supporting the LiP's argument. The judge, upon investigation, found the submissions to be inadvertent and did not penalize the LiP.
Opera's GPT-Based AI Reportedly Accused War Photographers of War Crimes
When prompted about "photographers accused of committing war crimes," Opera's GPT-based chatbot Aria provided a list of photographers who take photography of military conflicts.
Apparent Failure to Accurately Label Primates in Image Recognition Software Due to Alleged Fear of Racial Bias
Eight years after Google Photos mislabeled images of Black individuals as "gorillas," image recognition software by Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft still shows signs of either avoiding or inaccurately categorizing primates. Tests reveal that Google and Apple Photos refrain from labeling primates altogether, possibly to avoid the risk of perpetuating racial stereotypes. Microsoft OneDrive fails to identify any animals, while Amazon Photos overgeneralizes in its labeling.
Google Results for Johannes Vermeer Featured AI Version of His Artwork as Top Result
Google's search engine featured an AI-generated hyperrealistic version of the painting "Girl With a Pearl Earring" as the highlighted result when users search for its Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer.
Tesla Failed to Yield to Detected Pedestrian on Crosswalk, Reportedly Violated Traffic Law
A Tesla on FSD Beta 11.4.1 was shown on video not yielding to a pedestrian detected by the car, reportedly violating the state law sign which was also in the video saying vehicles having to yield to pedestrian within crosswalk.
Australian Terrorism Prediction Tool Reportedly Disparately Impacts Persons with Autism
An independent report found that the Vera-2R tool, designed to predict the risk of future terrorist activities, considered autism as a risk factor despite lacking empirical evidence to support this claim. The report called into question the tool's overall validity and reliability, stating it was "extremely poor" at accurately predicting risk. The inclusion of autism as a risk factor had potentially serious implications for the tool's use and credibility.
ChatGPT Reportedly Produced False Court Case Law Presented by Legal Counsel in Court
A lawyer in Mata v. Avianca, Inc. used ChatGPT for research. ChatGPT hallucinated court cases, which the lawyer then presented in court. The court determined the cases did not exist.
Google's Overview Panel for Artist Edward Hopper Featured Image Generated in His Style by AI
Google's knowledge panel for the American artist Edward Hopper featured an AI-generated image which was purportedly created in the artist's style but was not one of his works, the image of which was removed soon after.
Amazon Algorithmic Pricing Allegedly Hiked up Price of Reference Book to Millions
Amazon's pricing algorithm was implicated in a reference book about flies' unusual high price of millions of dollars, allegedly due to two sellers using the paid service which based their product's pricing on one another's as competitors.
ChatGPT Reportedly Banned by Italian Authority Due to OpenAI's Purported Lack of Legal Basis for Data Collection and Age Verification
Italy's data protection authority is reported to have temporarily limited OpenAI's processing of Italian users' data after alleging that ChatGPT lacked adequate notice and legal basis for large-scale personal data collection and processing used to train the system. The authority also cited a March 2023 data breach, possible processing of inaccurate personal data, and the absence of age-verification safeguards for children.
ChatGPT Allegedly Produced False Accusation of Sexual Harassment
A lawyer in California asked the AI chatbot ChatGPT to generate a list of legal scholars who had sexually harassed someone. The chatbot produced a false story of Professor Jonathan Turley sexually harassing a student on a class trip.
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* Oct 2026, ~320 projected full year
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