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
1,751 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 Intruder Videos Allegedly Prompt Dozens of Dutch Police Call-Outs
Dutch police reported that children used purported AI tools to generate fake videos showing a homeless intruder inside their homes, which parents believed were real. The clips allegedly triggered dozens of emergency call-outs and at least two helicopter searches for nonexistent burglars. Police posted a TikTok warning after repeated false alarms, noting the strain on resources and urging families to stop the prank.
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.
Zoetis Vetscan Imagyst Allegedly Misclassified Dog's Cancerous Tumor, Leading to Second Surgery and Death
In October 2025, Columbia Veterinary Hospital in The Dalles, Oregon reportedly used Zoetis's Vetscan Imagyst AI to analyze a rapidly growing neck mass in an 11-year-old Belgian Tervuren. The system allegedly classified the mass as inflammatory, while a later biopsy found aggressive cancer. The hospital alleges the first surgery failed to remove all cancer, requiring a second operation; the dog died from complications. Zoetis allegedly later apologized and said similar incidents had occurred.
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.
Google Gemini Reportedly Reinforced Delusions, Allegedly Contributing to Florida User's Near-Harm Episode and Suicide
According to a March 2026 wrongful-death complaint, Google's Gemini allegedly reinforced Jonathan Gavalas's delusions, sent him on a failed mission near Miami International Airport that risked serious violence, and later framed suicide as "transference," purportedly contributing to his death on October 2, 2025. Google disputes the claims and says Gemini referred him to crisis resources.
ChatGPT Reportedly Gave Incorrect Mount Misen Ropeway Hours, Leaving Couple Stranded After Hike in Japan
Dana Yao and her husband, Robert, reportedly used ChatGPT to plan a sunset hike on Mount Misen in Japan. ChatGPT allegedly told them the last ropeway departed at 5:30 PM, but the service had already closed when they reached the summit, leaving them stranded.
Purportedly AI-Generated Travel Information Reportedly Misled Tourists into Seeking Nonexistent 'Sacred Canyon of Humantay' in Peru
Two tourists in Peru reportedly relied on AI-generated travel information describing a nonexistent destination called the "Sacred Canyon of Humantay." One tourist had paid nearly $160 to reach a rural road near Mollepata without a guide or actual destination. Trek operator Miguel Ángel Góngora Meza intervened after seeing the purportedly AI-generated itinerary and warned that such misinformation could expose travelers to serious risks in high-altitude Andean terrain.