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
Grok AI Model Reportedly Fails to Produce Reliable News in Wake of Trump Assassination Attempt
xAI's model Grok, intended to automate news delivery on the X platform, is reported to have struggled to provide accurate information during the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Grok apparently issued incorrect headlines, including false reports about Vice President Kamala Harris being shot and misidentifying the alleged shooter. These errors show the pitfalls of relying on AI for real-time news aggregation, as it allegedly amplified unverified claims and failed to recognize sarcasm, undermining its reliability.
Suspect in Palisades Fire Allegedly Consulted ChatGPT for Arson Tips and Legal Advice Before Blaze That Killed 12 and Destroyed 6,837 Structures
Federal prosecutors allege that Jonathan Rinderknecht, arrested on 10/08/2025, consulted ChatGPT for arson-related imagery and legal advice before and after deliberately starting the Palisades fire in Los Angeles on 01/01/2025. The blaze, which reignited on 01/07/2025, killed 12 people and destroyed 6,873 buildings. Prosecutors say he generated a dystopian fire image with ChatGPT and later asked about liability for fires caused by cigarettes.
NullBulge's AI-Powered Malware Allegedly Compromises Disney Employee and Internal Data
A Disney employee, Matthew Van Andel, reportedly downloaded AI-powered malware allegedly developed by the cybercriminal group NullBulge, resulting in a major cybersecurity breach. Hackers purportedly accessed Disney's Slack system, exposing 44 million internal messages, employee and customer data, and financial records. NullBulge also reportedly leaked Van Andel’s personal financial information, leading to identity theft and his eventual termination.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) AI Systems Allegedly Discriminate Against Single Mothers
Researchers have argued that the Department for Work and Pensions' Universal Credit system disproportionately impacts single mothers. Automated processes in the system, designed to determine eligibility and detect fraud, are reported to have introduced biases, leading to financial instability and hardship. The algorithms allegedly miscalculate earnings and delay childcare reimbursements, in turn exacerbating income volatility and debt among single mothers.
AI-Generated Obituaries Are Reportedly Intensifying Grief for Bereaved Families
AI-generated obituaries on various websites are reported to have compounded the grief of bereaved families by spreading incorrect and unauthorized information about their loved ones. These obituaries, produced without the families' knowledge, often contain errors and appear on ad-filled sites, exacerbating the emotional distress of the grieving process.
Baidu Robotaxi Allegedly Involved in Collision with Pedestrian in Wuhan
On July 7, 2024, a Baidu Robotaxi reportedly collided with a pedestrian at a traffic intersection in Wuhan. The incident occurred as the autonomous vehicle started moving on a green light while the pedestrian was allegedly crossing against a red light. The pedestrian sustained minor injuries, and Baidu was reported to have been cooperating with local authorities for further investigation.
China Targets AI-Driven Fraud and Deepfake Scandals with New Crackdowns
Chinese law enforcement has targeted a rise in AI-driven crimes. The crimes include deepfake and voice synthesis used for fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized personality rights usage. In particular, "AI undressing" scams, fake relationships using synthesized voices, and game hacking software make up many of these cases. In response, authorities have prosecuted multiple cases and implemented stricter regulations to control AI misuse.
Purported Deepfake Targets Olena Zelenska in Alleged Russian Disinformation Campaign
A purported deepfake video falsely suggesting that Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, purchased a luxury car, reportedly circulated widely online. The video is reportedly part of a Russian-linked disinformation campaign aimed at undermining Ukraine and its supporters.
Figma Disables AI Feature After Accusations of Copying Apple’s Weather App
Figma has temporarily disabled its AI design feature, "Make Design," after accusations of copying Apple’s Weather app. Andy Allen of NotBoring Software highlighted the issue, prompting Figma CEO Dylan Field to deny claims of training the AI on specific app designs. However, Field acknowledged flaws in the QA process and promised to suspend the feature until it meets quality standards. The incident has implications for designers.
Terrorism Suspect in Cornellà, Spain, Allegedly Used AI Editing Tools to Produce Jihadist Propaganda
Spanish authorities alleged that a suspect arrested in Cornellà, near Barcelona, used AI-supported editing applications to produce jihadist multimedia propaganda. He allegedly distributed material through social media and encrypted messaging to radicalize others and promote terrorist violence. A court ordered pretrial detention. The reports do not identify the applications or establish that his activity led to an attack.
Female Politicians in the United Kingdom Reportedly Victimized by Purported Deepfake Pornography
Female politicians in the United Kingdom, including Angela Rayner, Gillian Keegan, Penny Mordaunt, Priti Patel, Stella Creasy, and Dehenna Davison, have reportedly been targeted by non-consensual, purportedly AI-generated deepfake pornography. The images, which some accounts suggest may have circulated online for an extended period, were reported to have caused distress and, in at least some instances, to have prompted reports to or involvement by law enforcement.
OpenAI's ChatGPT Mac App Stored User Data in Unencrypted Text Files
OpenAI's ChatGPT macOS app stored user conversations in plain text. If accessed by a malicious actor, these conversations could have been easily read. The critical security flaw was demonstrated by a third party and ultimately resolved after OpenAI released an update to encrypt the stored data.
AllHere's Chatbot 'Ed' Fails and Costs Los Angeles Unified School District $6 Million
The Los Angeles Unified School District invested up to $6 million in developing the AI chatbot "Ed," meant to provide academic and mental health support for students. The chatbot allegedly failed to meet expectations, and the project collapsed when AllHere, the contracted start-up, faced financial difficulties. Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland was also affected. Founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was removed as CEO in June 2024 and later arrested on fraud charges.
Scammers Allegedly Use Deepfake Technology to Pose as Leonor, Princess of Asturias, in Fraud Scheme
Scammers have allegedly been using deepfake technology and fake social media accounts to reportedly impersonate Leonor, Princess of Asturias, targeting vulnerable individuals in Latin America. Victims were reportedly lured with promises of financial aid, requiring payments for "fees" or "taxes" before receiving funds, only to allegedly be defrauded repeatedly. TikTok accounts with thousands of followers reportedly amplified the scheme using AI to increase the appearance of credibility.
Students at Australian Schools Reportedly Used AI Nudification Tools to Create Nonconsensual Sexual Images of Classmates and Teachers
Throughout 2024, schools in Australia reportedly dealt with a significant rise and proliferation of nonconsensual deepfake pornography of students. Often, male students are reported to use "nudify" apps such as Undress AI with images of their classmates and teachers. Many of the sites have reportedly remained legal and allegedly accessible to minors, who in turn are purportedly using the sites to generate pornography of their peers.