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
Purportedly AI-Manipulated Image Reported to Falsely Depict Taiwanese Politician Kao Chia-yu Posing With PRC Flag
In late December 2025, an altered image reportedly circulated online falsely depicting former Taiwanese legislator Kao Chia-yu posing in front of the PRC five-star flag, implying travel to or alignment with China. Reporting indicates the image was manipulated from a real photo taken at Taiwan's representative office in New York, replacing the Republic of China flag. Kao publicly debunked the image, citing AI-assisted disinformation and warning of political smearing ahead of elections.
Grok Reportedly Generated and Distributed Nonconsensual Sexualized Images of Adults and Minors in X Replies
Grok reportedly generated and publicly distributed nonconsensual sexualized images of real people, including adults and minors, through reply prompts on the platform. Users reportedly prompted Grok to alter photos into sexually explicit content, which was then posted in X threads, exposing victims to harm.
Purported Deepfake Endorsements Reportedly Used to Promote Fraudulent Health and Investment Products in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Purported deepfake videos and images impersonating Montenegrin MP and surgeon Vladimir Dobričanin and other public figures were reportedly used in Facebook and Instagram ads to promote fraudulent health products and investment schemes in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The impersonations allegedly directed users to scam websites linked to firms such as Digital Edge and Nearest Edge, reportedly causing harm while evading timely platform enforcement.
Purported AI-Generated Videos Depicted George Will Reportedly Commenting on Trump and Supreme Court Rulings
Purported AI-generated deepfake videos circulated online depicting conservative columnist George Will reportedly offering commentary on U.S. President Donald Trump and Supreme Court rulings. The videos were reportedly posted to YouTube and other platforms and used manipulated interview footage and synthetic audio to present fabricated legal claims.
Reported AI-Generated Deepfake Videos Impersonating Elon Musk and Dragon’s Den Allegedly Used in Cryptocurrency Investment Scam Targeting Canadian Victims
Two Canadian investors in Ontario and Prince Edward Island reportedly lost a combined $2.3 million after being deceived by purportedly AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating Elon Musk and the television program Dragon's Den. The reported videos and fabricated online dashboards allegedly persuaded the victims to transfer funds into a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme that displayed fake profits and blocked withdrawals.
Purported Deepfake Impersonating Sudha Murty Reportedly Promoted Quantum AI India Investment Scam via Spoofed News Link
A purported deepfake impersonating Rajya Sabha MP and Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty circulated on social media urging viewers to click a link for "investment opportunities." The link allegedly directed users to a spoofed news website intended to collect personal details and promoted a "Quantum AI India" investment platform. Murty publicly warned the video was AI-generated and fraudulent.
Florida Couple Reportedly Loses $45,000 in Alleged AI-Generated Elon Musk Impersonation Scam
A Florida couple reportedly lost approximately $45,000 after scammers impersonating Elon Musk used AI-generated deepfake videos and social engineering to run a fake car giveaway and investment scheme. The victim was contacted via Facebook, moved to WhatsApp, and sent personalized videos purporting to show Musk promising prizes and returns. Believing the messages authentic, the victim transferred cash and funds before realizing no car or payout would arrive.
Purportedly AI-Generated 'Eric Langford' Missing Boy Scout Hoax Circulating Across Multiple Social Media Platforms
A purportedly AI-generated fictional story falsely claimed that a Boy Scout named Eric Langford disappeared in New York in 1989 and reappeared in 2001 after being kidnapped. The reported hoax originated on the UNKNOWN Files YouTube channel and was repackaged into viral TikTok videos and AI-written blog posts promoted on Facebook, misleading millions of viewers and searchers about a fabricated missing-person case.
Purportedly AI-Generated TikTok Videos Reportedly Urged 'Polexit' Campaign, Prompting Polish Government Complaint to EU
Purportedly AI-generated TikTok videos depicting young women in patriotic dress reportedly urged Poland to leave the EU ("Polexit") and spread widely in late December 2025. Poland's junior digital minister reportedly said the wave appeared to test narratives ahead of the 2027 election, and asked the European Commission to examine TikTok's DSA compliance. TikTok reportedly said it removed content that violated its rules.
Reported Viral AI-Generated Photo Purportedly Shows Donald Trump Using a Walker
A fabricated image purporting to show U.S. President Donald Trump using a walker reportedly circulated widely on social media in mid-December 2025. Fact-checkers determined the image was AI-generated, citing visual anomalies and detection of Google's SynthID watermark. The image reportedly spread across multiple platforms and was shared by a political strategist, prompting public confusion and debunking by news outlets and AI detection tools.
Purported AI-Generated Image Depicting JD Vance and Usha Vance in Public Altercation Circulated on Social Media
A fabricated image purportedly depicting U.S. Vice President JD Vance arguing with his wife, Usha Vance, in a restaurant circulated on Facebook and X in December 2025. The image was later confirmed by its creator to have been generated using ChatGPT and falsely presented as an authentic photograph. The image was shared alongside speculative claims about the Vances' marriage.
Purportedly AI-Generated Video Allegedly Depicted Radnor High School Students in Pennsylvania Inappropriately, Prompting Police Investigation
Radnor High School in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, and local police reportedly investigated a purportedly AI-generated video that allegedly depicted several students "in an inappropriate manner." The principal said affected families were contacted and offered support, and police were notified.
Purported Deepfake Impersonating Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides Reportedly Defrauded Citizens of Thousands of Euros
Around December 2025, Cypriot authorities reported that scammers used a purportedly AI-generated deepfake video impersonating President Nicos Christodoulides and other officials to promote a fraudulent investment platform. The video deceived about 15 citizens, who each lost between €10,000 and €15,000. Officials warned that malicious AI impersonation schemes are increasing and that citizens currently lack effective protection.
The New York Times Sued Perplexity for Allegedly Using Copyrighted Content and Generating False Attributions
On December 5, 2025, The New York Times sued Perplexity, alleging the company used copyrighted Times articles without permission to train its AI system and generated outputs that reproduced Times content or falsely attributed fabricated information to the newspaper. The suit claims the conduct harmed the Times's business and brand. Perplexity denies wrongdoing.
Purported Deepfake Advertisement Falsely Depicting Physician Endorsement Used to Sell Lipedema Cream to U.S. Patient Beth Holland
A U.S. patient, Beth Holland, reported losing money after purchasing a purported lipedema treatment, Svelta Venastra, promoted through an online advertisement that allegedly used deepfake video to falsely depict endorsements by medical professionals and public figures, including her own physician, Dr. David Amron. The reported ad circulated on Facebook and misrepresented the product's efficacy, leading Holland to spend approximately $300 on a cream that did not alleviate her condition.