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
ChatGPT-Generated Image of Nonexistent 'Homeless Man' Was Used in False St. Petersburg, Florida Burglary and Sexual Battery Reports
A St. Petersburg, Florida woman, Brooke Schinault, used a ChatGPT-generated image of a nonexistent man while falsely reporting that he broke into her home and sexually battered her. Police said the image resembled a viral "AI homeless man" prank and was found in a deleted folder dated before the alleged attack. The report prompted officers, rescue personnel, a detective, and forensic DNA collection. She later pleaded no contest and was adjudged guilty of misdemeanor false reporting.
Purportedly AI-Generated 'Home Invasion Prank' Images Reportedly Circulate in Ireland, Causing Panic and False Emergency Calls
Irish police (Garda Síochána) reportedly issued a public warning after a viral "home invasion" prank spread on social media. The prank allegedly uses AI image-generation filters to insert a fake intruder into photos of family homes and send them to relatives, often elderly, claiming someone has broken in. The hoax reportedly caused panic and distress, and multiple false 999 calls diverted Garda resources, prompting an official appeal to stop the trend.
Old Mutual Reportedly Warns of Purported Deepfake Videos Impersonating Chairman Trevor Manuel in Investment Scams
Old Mutual of South Africa reportedly warned of purported deepfake videos impersonating its chairman, former finance minister Trevor Manuel, promoting fake investment schemes on social media. The purported AI-generated videos used his likeness and cloned voice to solicit funds, prompting a public statement from Manuel denying involvement.
Bodycam Footage Reportedly Contradicted Purportedly ChatGPT-Generated Use-of-Force Narrative by Immigration Agent
Body-worn camera footage released in litigation over Operation Midway Blitz reportedly showed that an immigration agent used ChatGPT to generate a long-form use-of-force narrative based on minimal inputs. A federal judge found that multiple AI-assisted reports conflicted with contemporaneous video evidence, undermining their accuracy and credibility and raising concerns about the use of generative AI in official law enforcement reporting.
Purportedly AI-Generated Deepfake Ads on Facebook Reportedly Impersonate Trump, Musk, Ocasio-Cortez, Warren, Sanders, and Leavitt to Promote Fraudulent Rebates
A Tech Transparency Project investigation identified purportedly AI-generated deepfake ads on Facebook impersonating President Trump, Elon Musk, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The ads allegedly promoted fake $5,000 government rebates and similar scams, reportedly misleading users and generating ad revenue for Meta before removal.
Purportedly AI-Generated Deepfake Ads on Instagram Impersonate Gisele Bündchen and Other Celebrities in Brazilian Fraud Scheme
Police in Brazil reportedly arrested four suspects accused of using purportedly AI-generated deepfake videos of model Gisele Bündchen and other celebrities in Instagram ads to promote fake giveaways and skincare products. The scheme was allegedly active since at least August 2024 and generated over 20 million reais ($3.9 million) in suspicious funds. Victims allegedly lost small amounts that often went unreported, creating what investigators called "statistical immunity."
AI-Themed Investment Scam Network Reportedly Used Keitaro Cloaking Across 15,500 Domains
Researchers reported that threat actors abused Keitaro Tracker infrastructure to cloak and route AI-themed investment scams across about 15,500 domains. The campaigns allegedly used AI-trading claims, deepfake videos or imagery, generative AI-produced copy and visuals, spoofed news pages, and fraudulent trading platforms to target potential victims while hiding scam content from scanners and reviewers.
Purported AI-Enabled Pro-Russian Influence Campaign Centered on Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré and Disseminated Across African Media
Reports describe a purported AI-enabled influence and disinformation campaign centered on Burkina Faso's junta leader Ibrahim Traoré. Dozens of purported AI-generated or AI-manipulated videos, allegedly produced by groups such as Black Rebellion and Univers Inspirant, have circulated widely across African media promoting pro-Traoré and pro-Russian narratives, with similar synthetic content appearing during regional conflicts and political events.
Donald Trump Reportedly Posts Purported AI-Modified Video of Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries During U.S. Government Shutdown Talks
President Donald Trump reportedly posted a purportedly AI-modified video on Truth Social depicting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer making fabricated statements and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a sombrero. Critics, including Jeffries and Rep. Ro Khanna, reportedly condemned the video as racist and misleading during budget negotiations over a looming government shutdown. The AI tool used for modification has not been identified.
YouTube Channel Reportedly Posts Purported Deepfake Video of Rajat Sharma Announcing India-Bangladesh Conflict
A purported deepfake video depicting Indian journalist Rajat Sharma reporting on a potential India-Bangladesh war was uploaded to the YouTube channel The Real Report. Fact-checkers reportedly found no such broadcast existed and, according to their metrics, verified that the clip was likely AI-generated.
Gold Coast Man Reportedly Ordered to Pay $343,500 After Posting Purported Deepfake Pornographic Images of Australian Public Figures
In a first-of-its-kind case under Australia's Online Safety Act, the Federal Court ordered Anthony Rotondo to pay $343,500 plus costs for creating and sharing nonconsensual deepfake pornographic images of prominent Australian women on MrDeepFakes.com. After reportedly receiving a removal notice in 2023, Rotondo defied authorities, emailed the images to dozens of recipients, and was later found in contempt. The images were reportedly taken down after he provided account access to investigators.
Purportedly AI-Edited Obscene Clip Reportedly Impersonated Thai Actor Khunnapat Pichetworawut in Paid Scam
Thai actor Khunnapat Pichetworawut reportedly said scammers used AI to edit his face and private chat images into an obscene video purportedly presented as a leaked clip of him and sold access through private groups for about 800–1,000 baht. Reports say the material circulated on X.
Gaggle Alert Reportedly Leads to Arrest of 15-Year-Old in Volusia County, Florida, for School Threat the Student Claimed Was Not Serious
A 15-year-old student in Volusia County, Florida, was reportedly detained after the Gaggle student monitoring system flagged a written shooting threat on a school-issued laptop. The student reportedly claims the threat was not serious. The alert reportedly led to the student's arrest on felony charges. The system appeared to operate as designed but reportedly resulted in criminal enforcement against a minor.
Purported AI-Generated Deepfake of Irish Fine Gael Presidential Candidate Heather Humphreys Used in Fake Investment Videos on Meta Platforms
Purported deepfake videos reportedly circulated on Meta platforms cloning Irish Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys to allegedly portray her endorsing high-return investment schemes. The purportedly AI-generated image and voice cloning aimed to exploit public trust and lure consumers into fraud. The Bank of Ireland warned of further scams and risks.
Russian Disinformation Campaign Reportedly Used AI-Generated Posts and Videos to Target 2025 Moldovan Parliamentary Elections
Researchers and European officials reported that Russian operatives have been using purportedly AI-generated posts, videos, and websites to influence Moldova's September 2025 parliamentary elections. Networks of over 900 accounts across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube have reportedly spread fabricated narratives, including reportedly misogynistic and false smears of President Maia Sandu.