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
Texas A&M-Commerce Professor Reportedly Used ChatGPT to Accuse Students of Cheating and Assign Incomplete Grades
On May 15, 2023, Texas A&M University-Commerce instructor Jared Mumm reportedly emailed animal-science seniors that he had copied their final assignments into ChatGPT and would assign zeros or temporary incompletes when the chatbot claimed the text was AI-generated. Students said the accusations caused panic and put graduation or diplomas at risk; the university later said no students failed or were barred from graduating because of the issue.
Tesla Failed to Yield to Detected Pedestrian on Crosswalk, Reportedly Violated Traffic Law
A Tesla on FSD Beta 11.4.1 was shown on video not yielding to a pedestrian detected by the car, reportedly violating the state law sign which was also in the video saying vehicles having to yield to pedestrian within crosswalk.
Australian Terrorism Prediction Tool Reportedly Disparately Impacts Persons with Autism
An independent report found that the Vera-2R tool, designed to predict the risk of future terrorist activities, considered autism as a risk factor despite lacking empirical evidence to support this claim. The report called into question the tool's overall validity and reliability, stating it was "extremely poor" at accurately predicting risk. The inclusion of autism as a risk factor had potentially serious implications for the tool's use and credibility.
Alleged Use of Purportedly AI-Generated and Manipulated Media to Misrepresent Candidates and Disrupt Turkey's 2023 Presidential Election
During Turkey's 2023 presidential election, reportedly manipulated and allegedly AI-generated videos, audio, and images were used to smear candidates, purportedly link opposition figures to terrorist groups, and circulate a purported sex tape that reportedly contributed to presidential candidate Muharrem İnce’s withdrawal. These incidents reportedly misled voters, disrupted campaigning, and altered the electoral field.
ChatGPT Reportedly Produced False Court Case Law Presented by Legal Counsel in Court
A lawyer in Mata v. Avianca, Inc. used ChatGPT for research. ChatGPT hallucinated court cases, which the lawyer then presented in court. The court determined the cases did not exist.
Google's Overview Panel for Artist Edward Hopper Featured Image Generated in His Style by AI
Google's knowledge panel for the American artist Edward Hopper featured an AI-generated image which was purportedly created in the artist's style but was not one of his works, the image of which was removed soon after.
Iranian Hacker Group Cotton Sandstorm Reportedly Integrating AI into Cyber Influence Operations
The Iranian state-sponsored group Cotton Sandstorm, linked to the IRGC, has integrated generative AI into cyber influence operations. In December 2023, it launched Operation “For Humanity," using AI-crafted messaging to hijack a U.S.-based IPTV streaming service with propaganda about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The group also engages in election-related reconnaissance, which suggests they used AI-enhanced influence efforts ahead of the 2024 U.S. election.
Proliferation of AI-Generated News Websites and Content Farms Across Multiple Languages Degrading Information Integrity
Scores of AI-generated news websites and content farms are producing low-quality, clickbait content in a variety of languages. They are reportedly spreading false information and degrading the quality of information available online. These sites often lack human oversight, feature repetitive language, and sometimes fabricate information, posing a threat to the credibility of online news sources.
Purported Republican AI Ad Reportedly Depicts Dystopian Future After Biden Reelection Announcement
After Joe Biden announced his 2024 reelection bid, the Republican National Committee reportedly released an attack ad that included purportedly AI-generated images portraying a dystopian future for the United States. Even with a brief disclaimer, the ad's fabricated scenes purportedly introduced false information into the political environment and created a misleading visual frame around an active electoral process.
Novel Deepfake Song Pulled from Music Streaming Services After Allegedly Violating Artist's Rights
The deepfake performance of "Heart On My Sleeve" created to mimic the voice and musical styles of Drake and The Weeknd is no longer available on several streaming services after their record label served copyright takedown notices to the platforms.
Purported AI-Generated Audio Disinformation Reportedly Attributed to U.S. Ambassador John Godfrey Circulates in Sudan
In April 2023, a reportedly fake audio message impersonating U.S. Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey circulated on Sudanese social media. Reportedly produced using AI voice-cloning tools, the message portrayed the ambassador outlining strategies to impose secularism through U.S. support. Researchers attribute the clip to Islamist-linked networks seeking to undermine Western and civilian influence during the ongoing civil conflict. The message was quickly identified as inauthentic.
Chinese Businessman Reportedly Defrauded of 4.3 Million Yuan by AI-Generated Deepfake Impersonating Friend
A scammer in China used AI-generated deepfake technology to impersonate a businessman’s trusted friend in a video call, convincing him to transfer 4.3 million yuan ($612,000). The fraudster mimicked the friend’s face and voice, claiming another associate needed funds for a business transaction. Without verifying the transfer, the victim sent the money. He later realized the deception and contacted police, who managed to recover 3.4 million yuan.
Quebec Man Sentenced for Having Used Deepfake Technology to Create Synthetic Child Pornography
A Quebec man was sentenced to over three years in prison for using AI deepfake technology to produce synthetic child pornography. He created videos by superimposing children's faces onto other bodies, adding to the challenge of policing digital sexual exploitation. This case marks a disturbing use of AI in criminal activities, raising concerns about digital safety and the vulnerability of children's images online.
Amazon Algorithmic Pricing Allegedly Hiked up Price of Reference Book to Millions
Amazon's pricing algorithm was implicated in a reference book about flies' unusual high price of millions of dollars, allegedly due to two sellers using the paid service which based their product's pricing on one another's as competitors.
FBI Reported Surge of Extortion Cases of AI Media Featuring Sexual Explicit Activities
The FBI reported an increase in sextortion cases featuring the use of fake, including AI-generated, images or videos created from content posted on their social media sites or web postings, provided to the malicious actor upon request, or captured during video chats.