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
Deepfakes Circulating and Eroding Electoral Integrity in the Lead-up to 2024 South Korean legislative election
In the lead-up to Korea's parliamentary elections, at least 129 deepfake videos and images were reported to have been detected, violating new election laws. These AI-generated deepfakes were used to mislead and manipulate public opinion, prompting a crackdown by the National Election Commission.
Alleged State-Sponsored Hackers Escalate Purported Phishing Attacks Using Artificial Intelligence
State-sponsored hackers from North Korea, Iran, Russia, and China are reportedly leveraging artificial intelligence to conduct sophisticated phishing and social engineering attacks. They target global defense, cybersecurity, and cryptocurrency sectors, aiming to steal sensitive information and, in the case of North Korea, cryptocurrencies to help fund its illicit nuclear program.
Deepfake Generated by the Lincoln Project of Trump's Father Used in Political Attack Ad
The Lincoln Project used AI to create a deepfake video of Donald Trump's deceased father criticizing him. Although they made it clear that the video was a deepfake, the deeply personal nature of the attack represents a corrosive use of artificial intelligence in undermining democratic norms during an election cycle.
AI Romance Apps Reportedly Compromise User Privacy for Data Harvesting
AI-powered romantic chatbots, marketed for enhancing mental health, are found to exploit user privacy by harvesting sensitive personal information for data sharing and targeted ads, with inadequate security measures and consent protocols, according to research by the Mozilla Foundation.
Deepfake Audio Falsely Attributes Controversial Remarks to Keir Starmer About the Rochdale Azhar Ali Crisis
A deepfake audio clip, falsely claiming to be Keir Starmer discussing the Rochdale byelection and Labour's withdrawl of support for Azhar Ali, circulated online, achieving over 250,000 views. Experts confirmed its inauthenticity, highlighting a significant misuse of AI in fabricating political content.
Purported Deepfake Video Allegedly Claims Kyiv's Assassination Plan Against President Emmanuel Macron
A purported deepfake video reportedly claimed France 24 reported a Kyiv plot to assassinate French President Macron. This reported fake news was debunked by France 24, which confirmed the video was altered and did not air any such report.
Deepfake of Long-Deceased Suharto Circulating in Run-up to February 2024 Indonesian Elections
An AI-generated deepfake of Suharto, the deceased Indonesian dictator, was generated and circulated by the Golkar Party ahead of the February 2024 Indonesian elections. This video, which aimed to influence voter perceptions by invoking Suharto's legacy, sought to manipulate public opinion and misused deceased individuals' likenesses for political gain. The incident is another example of political deepfakes creating convincing misinformation.
Many Purported Political Deepfakes Reportedly Circulating in Run-up to 2024 Pakistani General Elections
During Pakistan's 2024 general elections, purportedly AI-generated deepfakes of a politically motivated nature were circulated. These deepfakes reportedly portrayed political figures in misleading contexts, spreading misinformation and aiming to influence voter perceptions and election outcomes.
Alleged Deepfake Audio of Imran Khan Calls for Election Boycott, Misleading Pakistan Voters
A purported deepfake audio clip, falsely attributed to Imran Khan urging a PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) election boycott, circulated on social media on the eve of Pakistan's general elections. This sophisticated AI-generated misinformation aimed to mislead voters, highlighting the growing challenge of digital manipulation in political discourse.
Purported Russian-Linked Network Allegedly Used Deepfake of Maria Ressa on Facebook and Bing to Promote Cryptocurrency Scam Targeting Filipinos
A purportedly Russian-linked scam network allegedly circulated an AI-generated deepfake of journalist Maria Ressa on Facebook and Microsoft Bing. The video reportedly manipulated a 2022 interview to falsely depict Ressa endorsing cryptocurrency. Fraudulent websites allegedly impersonating Rappler and CNN Philippines reportedly amplified the scam. Investigators reportedly linked the operation to a fraudulent network targeting Filipino audiences. Meta and Microsoft removed the content, but similar scams allegedly continue to resurface.
Alleged Deepfake CFO Scam Reportedly Costs Multinational Engineering Firm Arup $25 Million
A finance employee at the multinational engineering firm Arup was reportedly deceived into transferring $25 million by fraudsters using purported deepfake technology to impersonate the firm's CFO in a video call, according to the Hong Kong police.
Glasgow Man Allegedly Used AI Tool to Create and Share Nonconsensual Deepfake Nude Images of Former Classmate
In February 2024, a Glasgow man, Callum Brooks, reportedly used an AI-powered image-alteration tool to create deepfake nude images of a woman he knew from school by modifying her publicly posted social media photos. He allegedly sent the fabricated intimate images to two friends without her consent. The woman was reportedly embarrassed and distressed after learning of the images. Brooks pled guilty in Glasgow Sheriff Court and was fined £335.
GOP Pollster Reportedly Shares Purportedly AI-Generated Images to Fabricate Appearance of Black Voter Support
Purportedly AI-generated images circulated by GOP pollster Patrick Ruffini reportedly depicted Black men appearing to support the Republican Party shortly before Black History Month. The allegedly fabricated photos created a misleading impression of racial diversity within the GOP and may have shaped public perception. The episode raises concerns about the reported use of AI to distort political representation and the potential impact on Black communities.
Network of 171 AI-Powered Bots Reportedly Spread Political Disinformation Ahead of Ghana’s December 2024 General Election
A network of 171 bot accounts on X are alleged to have used ChatGPT to generate political content supporting Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its presidential candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia, ahead of the December 2024 election. The AI-generated posts reportedly praised Bawumia while spreading disinformation targeting the opposition candidate, John Mahama, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
AI-Generated Fake News Targets Black Celebrities on YouTube
YouTube faced a surge of AI-generated fake news targeting Black celebrities, including fake narratives about Sean “Diddy” Combs and others. These videos, blending AI-generated and manipulated media, amassed millions of views, challenging content moderation efforts and highlighting the spread of disinformation.
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* Oct 2026, ~320 projected full year
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