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
736 incidents
Italian Mediaset Journalist Safiria Leccese's Image Was Reportedly Used in a Purportedly AI-Generated Fake Loan Scam
Italian media reported that scammers purportedly used AI to create fake social media profiles and a video impersonating Mediaset journalist Safiria Leccese, using her image and footage associated with her political-interview program Super Partes to promote a personal loan. Leccese said several people were deceived within an hour. After she contacted postal police, two additional fake profiles using her image were reportedly found and blocked.
Scammers Reportedly Used AI-Cloned Daughter's Voice to Defraud Bay Area Mother in Fake Kidnapping Call
Deborah Del Mastro of Martinez, California, reportedly wired $5,400 to Mexico after scammers falsely claimed her daughter Sarah had been kidnapped and played what she believed was Sarah's panicked voice. AI had reportedly been used to mimic the daughter's voice during a five-hour call that pressured Del Mastro to send money. After she contacted her daughter and learned she was safe, Martinez police reportedly began investigating.
Texas Man Arturo Hernandez Allegedly Published AI-Generated Deepfake Pornography Depicting Women in TAKE IT DOWN Act Case
DOJ alleged that Texas defendant Arturo Hernandez published about 113 albums of AI-generated deepfake pornography depicting about 50 identifiable women, including non-public figures and recent high school graduates, during a period anchored to May 2025. Prosecutors said non-explicit source images were allegedly transformed into sexualized depictions. The case was among the first prosecutions announced under the TAKE IT DOWN Act.
Hidden Prompt Injection in Brazilian Labor-Court Petition Reportedly Tried to Manipulate Galileu
Galileu, an AI tool used by Brazil's labor courts, reportedly detected hidden instructions embedded in an initial petition before the 3rd Labor Court of Parauapebas. The text allegedly told the AI to contest the petition superficially and not challenge documents. Galileu reportedly alerted the judge and blocked the hidden content from processing; the judge then reviewed the material before imposing any procedural consequences.
Guelph, Ontario, Woman Reportedly Lost $14,000 in Purported Deepfake MrBeast Cryptocurrency Scam
A Guelph, Ontario, woman reportedly lost $14,000 after clicking a social-media ad for a cryptocurrency investment purportedly promoted by MrBeast. Police said her losses accumulated through an initial $250 payment and later transfers made after she spoke with supposed representatives and someone she believed was the YouTube creator, including $5,000 sent to a crypto wallet.
Purportedly AI-Recreated Clips from Beastie Boys' 'Sabotage' Video Reportedly Appeared in FBI Promotional Video Posted by Kash Patel
An FBI promotional video posted by Director Kash Patel reportedly used AI-generated clips that closely recreated shots from the Beastie Boys' 1994 "Sabotage" music video directed by Spike Jonze. NPR identified at least six matching clips and quoted experts who said AI likely recreated the footage, possibly from screenshots or short clips. The video promoted FBI anti-fraud work and received roughly half a million views by the next day.
Ahmedabad Aadhaar Fraud Racket Reportedly Used Purportedly AI-Generated Deepfakes to Change Businessman's Linked Mobile Number
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime police reportedly arrested four people after businessman Amit Patel alleged that his Aadhaar-linked mobile number had been changed without consent. Police reportedly said the accused allegedly used purportedly AI-generated deepfake videos made from Patel's photo to bypass facial authentication, access DigiLocker/e-KYC services, open bank accounts, and apply for loans.
Suspected AI-Generated Deepfake Video Reportedly Targeted Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Instagram
Police in Durg, Chhattisgarh, India reportedly registered a First Information Report (FIR) after Indian National Congress leaders alleged that a suspected AI-generated deepfake video targeted former state chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and his former deputy secretary, Saumya Chaurasia. Police reportedly said the video circulated through Instagram handles, and that a cyber team was investigating.
Jasper County Student in Texas Reportedly Posted Purported AI-Generated Nude Image of Classmate on Snapchat
A 17-year-old Buna Independent School District student in Jasper County, Texas reportedly admitted to creating a purported AI-generated nude image of a classmate and posting it on Snapchat. Law enforcement reportedly said the image was removed after several minutes, but officials alleged the classmate had already been harmed.
Purported Deepfake Video Reportedly Portrayed Nirmala Sitharaman Endorsing Investment Scheme
A purported deepfake video reportedly portrayed Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as endorsing an investment scheme claiming Rs 22,000 (about $236 USD) could yield Rs 5.5 lakh (about $5,900 USD) in a week. PIB Fact Check publicly debunked the video on April 16, 2026, stating it was fake and AI-generated and warning that neither the Government of India nor the minister endorsed the scheme.
ChatGPT Was Reportedly Consulted on Body-Disposal and Concealment Questions Before and After University of South Florida Doctoral Students Were Killed
Prosecutors reportedly cited Hisham Abugharbieh's ChatGPT history after he was charged with murdering University of South Florida doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy. The alleged queries concerned body disposal, vehicle concealment, firearms, phone traceability, and missing-person status. Current public reporting leaves unresolved whether ChatGPT provided operational assistance.
Scammers Reportedly Used AI-Generated Images of Missing Dog Archer to Solicit Fraudulent Vet Payment from Deltona, Florida Family
Scammers reportedly used AI-generated images of Archer, a missing beagle mix in Deltona, Florida, on an operating table after owner Bill Cosens posted about the dog on social media. A caller allegedly claimed Archer had been hit by a vehicle and needed $2,800 in emergency surgery. Cosens grew suspicious after checking the supposed veterinary clinic address, sent no money, and Archer was later returned safely.
Purportedly AI-Generated Image Reportedly Misled Daejeon Authorities Searching for Escaped Wolf Neukgu
South Korean police alleged that a 40-year-old man used ChatGPT's image-generation capabilities to add escaped wolf Neukgu to a Daejeon street photo, then posted the purportedly fabricated image in a company group chat. Authorities reportedly used the image in alerts and briefings, redirecting search resources and disrupting public-safety operations before police identified him through CCTV and AI-use records.
Tasmanian School Students Reportedly Created Purported AI-Generated Pornographic Images of Female Classmates
Five boys at The Friends' School in Hobart, Tasmania allegedly created purported AI-generated pornographic images using photos of female classmates, with parents saying 21 girls were identified as victims. The images were reportedly shared in a boys' group chat. Tasmania Police said no charges had been laid and the youths were being dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
Purported AI-Generated Impersonations of Albanian Cardiologist Spiro Qirko and Journalist Ilir Topi Were Reportedly Used on Facebook to Promote Hypertension Product in Kosovo
An allegedly AI-generated video circulating on Facebook appeared to impersonate Albanian cardiologist Spiro Qirko and journalist Ilir Topi in order to market "Hyper Caps" as a treatment for hypertension in Kosovo. Reporting indicated that both men denied involvement. An AI-detection tool reportedly assessed the media as likely AI-generated, and the product was reportedly not listed as holding marketing authorization in Kosovo.