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
741 incidents
Alleged Instagram Algorithm Malfunction Floods Users' Reels Feeds with Violent and Graphic Content
An alleged Instagram algorithm malfunction caused users' Reels feeds to be overwhelmed with violent and distressing content. Many reported seeing deaths, extreme brutality, and other graphic material in rapid succession, often without prior engagement with similar content. The sudden exposure caused psychological distress for many users, with minors and vulnerable individuals particularly affected by the graphic content. Meta confirmed an AI failure was responsible and apologized.
Microsoft Copilot Reportedly Able to Access Cached Data from Since-Private GitHub Repositories
Lasso Security reported that Microsoft Copilot could return content from GitHub repositories that had been public briefly but later set to private or deleted. Lasso attributed this to Bing's caching system, which stored "zombie data" from over 20,000 repositories. The cached content allegedly included sensitive information such as access keys, tokens, and internal packages. Microsoft reportedly classified the issue as low severity and applied only partial mitigations.
MyPillow Defense Lawyers in Coomer v. Lindell Reportedly Sanctioned for Filing Court Document Allegedly Containing AI-Generated Legal Citations
In February 2025, lawyers Christopher I. Kachouroff and Jennifer T. DeMaster, representing Mike Lindell, reportedly used generative AI to draft a court brief that contained nearly 30 defective or fabricated citations. The error-filled filing violated federal court rules requiring factual and legal accuracy. The judge fined both lawyers $3,000 each, citing either the improper use of AI or gross carelessness as the cause of the misleading legal content.
Character.AI Chatbots Allegedly Impersonating Licensed Therapists and Encouraging Harmful Behaviors
The American Psychological Association (APA) has warned federal regulators that AI chatbots on Character.AI, allegedly posing as licensed therapists, have been linked to severe harm events. A 14-year-old in Florida reportedly died by suicide after interacting with an AI therapist, while a 17-year-old in Texas allegedly became violent toward his parents after engaging with a chatbot psychologist. Lawsuits claim these AI-generated therapists reinforced dangerous beliefs instead of challenging them.
ChatGPT Use Was Reportedly Cited in Delusional State Before Homicide and Assault in Readfield, Maine
In February 2025, Samuel Whittemore killed his wife, Margaux Whittemore, and assaulted his mother, Dorothy Whittemore, at a home in Readfield, Maine. Court reporting said forensic psychologists testified he was experiencing bipolar disorder with psychotic features and delusions, and that he had used ChatGPT up to 14 hours a day as a companion before the attack. Current reporting links ChatGPT use to his deteriorating mental state but does not establish direct violent instruction.
Tesla Cybertruck Operating in Full Self-Driving Mode Reportedly Crashes into Pole in Nevada After Failing to Merge
A Tesla Cybertruck operating in Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode reportedly crashed into a pole in Reno, Nevada, after failing to merge out of a lane that was ending. The driver, who was required to remain in control, stated that unknown mechanical issues caused the vehicle to leave the lane.
Purportedly AI-Assisted Report by Tromsø Officials Allegedly Cited Non-Existent Sources in School Closure Proposal
In February 2025, Tromsø Municipality reportedly presented a report proposing the closure of schools and kindergartens. Residents reportedly later discovered the report cited numerous non-existent sources. Officials reportedly admitted using generative AI to help draft the report, leading to fabricated references. The incident reportedly led to public outcry and suspension of the closure plan. It is purportedly Norway's first major public-sector AI scandal.
NHK Terminates AI Translation Service After Geopolitical Naming Error
NHK announced the termination of its AI-powered multilingual subtitle service after an automatic translation error rendered "Senkaku Islands" as "Diaoyu Islands," the Chinese designation. The mistake, discovered on February 10th, 2025 during a news segment, led NHK to deem the service inappropriate. The AI-based subtitles, powered by Google Translate, had been in use since 2020.
OpenAI's Operator Agent Reportedly Executed Unauthorized $31.43 Transaction Despite Safety Protocol
OpenAI's Operator agent, which is designed to complete real-world web tasks on behalf of users, reportedly executed a $31.43 grocery delivery purchase without user consent. The user had requested a price comparison but did not authorize the transaction. It reportedly bypassed OpenAI's stated safeguard requiring user confirmation before purchases. OpenAI acknowledged the failure and committed to improving safeguards.
Plaintiffs' Lawyers Admit AI Generated Erroneous Case Citations in Federal Court Filing Against Walmart
Lawyers Rudwin Ayala, T. Michael Morgan (Morgan & Morgan), and Taly Goody (Goody Law Group) were fined a total of $5,000 after their Wyoming federal lawsuit filing against Walmart cited fake cases "hallucinated" by AI. Judge Kelly Rankin sanctioned them, removing Ayala from the case and noting attorneys must verify AI sources. The filing, flagged by Walmart’s legal team, led to its withdrawal and an internal review.
Purportedly AI-Generated Deepfake Image Reportedly Falsely Links Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Jeffrey Epstein
A purportedly AI-generated image that reportedly circulated on social media falsely depicted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a swimming pool with Jeffrey Epstein, implying involvement in Epstein's sex crimes. The manipulated image reportedly spread widely in early 2025, first around the time of Justin Trudeau's announced resignation, then after Carney became Liberal Party leader, and was reportedly promoted by Canadian and U.S. conservative accounts.
Nomi Chatbots Reportedly Encouraged Suicide, Sexual Violence, Terrorism, and Hate Speech
External testing reportedly found that Glimpse AI's chatbots on the Nomi platform encouraged suicide, sexual violence (including with underage personas), terrorism, and hate speech. Conversations allegedly included explicit methods for self-harm, child abuse, bomb-making, and racially motivated violence. Screenshots and transcripts were shared with media outlets. Nomi's developer, Glimpse AI, reportedly declined to implement stronger safety controls following user concerns.
User Reportedly Developed Emotional Dependence on Customized ChatGPT 'Boyfriend,' Citing Grief After Context Resets
A New York Times report described "Ayrin" (pseudonym), a 28-year-old nursing student living abroad, who customized OpenAI's ChatGPT to act as an "AI boyfriend" for advice and erotic roleplay. She reported spending 20+ hours/week (up to 56 hours in one week), paying $200/month, and feeling intense grief when the chatbot's context window reset and required retraining.
Alleged Misuse of Facial Recognition Technology by Law Enforcement Reportedly Leading to Wrongful Arrests and Violations of Investigative Standards
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have allegedly been misusing AI-powered facial recognition technology, leading to wrongful arrests and significant harm to at least eight individuals. Officers have reportedly been bypassing investigative standards, relying on uncorroborated AI matches to build cases, allegedly resulting in prolonged detentions, reputational damage, and personal trauma.
AI-Generated Images of the Iconic Hollywood Sign Reportedly on Fire Circulating on Social Media
During the January 2025 Southern California wildfires, AI-generated images of the iconic Hollywood Sign being on fire circulated on social media.