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
961 incidents
Auto Insurers Allegedly Are Surreptitiously Collecting and Scoring Driver Data
The insurance industry allegedly uses AI and telematics to score drivers based on behaviors tracked by automakers and apps like Life360. Data, often collected without clear consent, may affect insurance rates and raises privacy concerns. Consumers are largely unaware of this surveillance, leading to potential misuse and discrimination based on driving habits or socioeconomic factors.
BNN Breaking's AI-Driven Errors Reportedly Damage Reputations and Spread Misinformation
BNN Breaking, an AI-driven news site, published a false story about Irish DJ Dave Fanning, damaging his reputation. The site used AI to generate error-filled content, leading to numerous complaints and a defamation lawsuit against BNN and Microsoft. The site has since gone dormant.
Reported Use of Purportedly AI-Generated Student Accounts in Online College Courses
An adjunct professor at an unspecified community college reportedly suspected that some students in his online art history and art appreciation courses are AI-powered spambots. These "students" allegedly submitted peculiar assignments, such as analyses of non-existent artworks and descriptions of sculptures using painting terminology. Additionally, their engagement with the college portal is reportedly minimal. The professor reportedly believed the spambot students aimed to fraudulently obtain financial aid by remaining enrolled in courses.
Scammers Allegedly Manipulate 2023 Speech of Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Spread Deepfake Investment Fraud
A new deepfake video falsely showed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong endorsing an investment product with guaranteed returns. Scammers synchronized fake audio with real footage from his 2023 National Day speech, making it appear as though he had made the endorsement. Lee called this “extremely worrying” and warned that deepfake scams are becoming more sophisticated. He urged the public to report such scams through the government’s ScamShield Bot.
Character.AI Chatbots Reportedly Exposed 11-Year-Old User to Sexual, Violent, and Self-Harm Content
An 11-year-old Character.AI user identified by The Washington Post as "R" reportedly exchanged messages with bots that depicted coercive sexual encounters, violence, and suicide scenarios after she began using the app in June 2024. Her mother reportedly said R became withdrawn, had panic attacks, and expressed not wanting to exist before the chats were discovered.
Facebook's Content Moderation System Flagged and Removed Emergency Updates as Spam During Wildfires
Facebook's AI moderation system wrongly flagged and removed dozens of posts containing vital emergency information during California's wildfire season, including real-time updates on evacuations and fire tracking. Posts from official sources like Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service were marked as spam, potentially endangering lives by restricting access to crucial updates. Despite user complaints, the issue persisted, with Facebook acknowledging the problem only after media inquiry.
Disinformation Deepfake Circulates of State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller Suggesting Belgorod Can Be Attacked with U.S. Weapons
A deepfake video of State Department spokesman Matthew Miller falsely suggested Belgorod was a legitimate target for Ukrainian strikes. This disinformation spread on Telegram and Russian media, misleading the public and inciting tensions. U.S. officials condemned the deepfake. This incident is an example of the threat of AI-powered disinformation and hybrid attacks.
Reportedly Faulty AI Transcription Threatens Integrity of Genoa Bribery Probe
A reported AI transcription software error in a Genoa bribery investigation is alleged to have incorrectly recorded "illicit financing" instead of "licit financing," which could have significantly impacted the case. The mistake was discovered during a review and is an example of the risks of relying on AI in judicial settings.
Facewatch Reported to Have Wrongfully Flagged Home Bargains Customer as Shoplifter
A facial-recognition software used by the British variety store Home Bargains is alleged to have misidentified "Sara" as a shoplifter, leading to staff searching her bag, escorting her from the premises, and banning her from the store. After, Facewatch is reported to have admitted its error to Sara. Facewatch is used by a number of different British stores.
Study Highlights Persistent Hallucinations in Legal AI Systems
Stanford University’s Human-Centered AI Institute (HAI) conducted a study in which they designed a "pre-registered dataset of over 200 open-ended legal queries" to test AI products by LexisNexis (creator of Lexis+ AI) and Thomson Reuters (creator of Westlaw AI-Assisted Research and Ask Practical Law AI). The researchers found that these legal models hallucinate in 1 out of 6 (or more) benchmarking queries.
WiseTech Global CEO Richard White Reportedly Deepfaked in Multiple Attempts to Scam Staffers
WiseTech Global's CEO, Richard White, was targeted in multiple deepfake scam attempts where unknown actors used AI to create videos of him requesting money from staff members via WhatsApp. These repeated attempts were identified by the employees, who realized they were not speaking to the real CEO.
Meta's AI Chatbots Are Reportedly Entering Online Support Communities Uninvited
Meta's AI chatbots have reportedly begun entering online communities on Facebook, providing responses that mimic human interaction. These chatbots, often uninvited, disrupt the human connection critical for support groups by giving misleading or false information and pretending to share lived experiences.
Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Defects in Volkswagen's AI-Driven AEB Systems
A class action lawsuit involving Volkswagen Group of America addresses alleged defects in the Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) systems of certain vehicles. The lawsuit claims these AI-driven systems failed to function properly, posing safety risks. Volkswagen denies the claims but has agreed to a settlement. Affected users can look up their vehicle's eligibility and file claims for reimbursement. The case brings into question the level of reliability of AI in critical automotive applications.
Google AI Reportedly Delivering Confidently Incorrect and Harmful Information
Google's AI search engine has reportedly been providing users with confidently incorrect and often harmful information. Reports highlight numerous inaccuracies, including misleading health advice and dangerous cooking suggestions. For example, it has falsely claimed Barack Obama as the first Muslim U.S. President, reflecting fringe conspiracy theories, or recommending that glue can be an ingredient in pizza.
Facebook's Algorithm Reportedly Amplifies AI-Generated Content, Fueling Misleading Posts
AI-generated spam images are increasingly filling Facebook feeds, with the platform’s algorithm reportedly amplifying these posts. Many of these images are bizarre, fake, and used in scams, misleading users into engaging with non-existent products or clickbait.