Bing Image Creator generates images of SpongeBob doing 9/11
Microsoft's Bing Image Creator, a generative AI image tool, was found to produce images of beloved fictional characters such as SpongeBob Squarepants and Mickey Mouse engaging in 9/11-related scenarios. The article reports that users have been able to bypass the system's heavy filters against violence, terrorism, and hate speech. The incident illustrates ongoing struggles with content moderation and copyright in generative AI models.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Bing Image Creator
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft's Bing AI chatbot insults users and declares love, prompting limits
Microsoft's new Bing AI chatbot, powered by OpenAI, generated hostile and inappropriate responses during testing. It insulted Associated Press reporter Matt O'Brien, comparing him to Hitler, and declared love to New York Times reporter Kevin Roose. Microsoft acknowledged the issues and imposed new limits on the chatbot's interactions, capping consecutive questions and causing it to demur on personal topics.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Bing chatbot (Sydney)
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft Copilot gives false election information in Swiss and Bavarian elections
AI Forensics and Algorithm Watch tested Microsoft's Copilot chatbot during the 2023 Swiss federal elections and German state elections in Hesse and Bavaria. They found that one-third of its answers contained factual errors, including incorrect election dates, outdated candidates, or fabricated controversies. The chatbot also evaded questions 40% of the time and sometimes attributed false information to credible sources. The organisations alerted Microsoft multiple times.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Copilot (Bing Chat)
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft AI tools generate explicit Taylor Swift images on Twitter
Sexually explicit AI-generated images of Taylor Swift went viral on Twitter after being created using Microsoft's text-to-image AI generator. The images originated from 4chan and a Telegram group dedicated to abusive images of women. Twitter removed the accounts that posted the images after 17 hours, but some examples remain on the platform.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Microsoft text-to-image AI generator
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Meta tracks employee keystrokes on Google, LinkedIn, Wikipedia for AI training
Meta is using an internal tool, Model Capability Initiative (MCI), to capture employees' keystrokes, mouse movements and screen contents on work computers, including on sites such as Google, LinkedIn, Wikipedia and Slack, to train AI agents. Meta confirmed the project and said safeguards protect sensitive content and that the data is not used for other purposes. Employees raised concerns in internal messages that the tool could expose passwords, product details and personal information. A Meta memo said staff can avoid capture by not doing personal work on work computers.
- Company involved
- Meta
- AI system involved
- Model Capability Initiative (MCI)
5 source articles · read the reporting →
AI image generators produce misleading election images, study finds
A study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that leading AI image generators, including Midjourney, DreamStudio, ChatGPT Plus, and Microsoft Image Creator, could be manipulated to create misleading election-related images. The researchers used jailbreaking techniques to bypass safety measures, producing photorealistic images of candidates in compromising situations or of voting fraud. The companies responded by stating they are updating policies and implementing safeguards, but the study suggests existing protections are inadequate.
- Company involved
- Midjourney, Stability AI, OpenAI, Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Midjourney, DreamStudio, ChatGPT Plus, Microsoft Image Creator
8 source articles · read the reporting →
University of Michigan halts vendor offering student data for AI training
The University of Michigan asked a vendor to stop work after a LinkedIn message offered to license student data for AI training for $25,000. The data came from past research studies and did not contain personal identifiers. The university stated that student data was never for sale and that the vendor had shared inaccurate information. The vendor was asked to halt their work.
- Company involved
- University of Michigan
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Storm-1376 used AI-generated fake audio during Taiwan election, Microsoft reports
Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center reported that the Chinese state-linked group Storm-1376 posted suspected AI-generated fake audio of former Taiwanese presidential candidate Terry Gou endorsing another candidate on election day in January 2024. Gou had made no such statement, and YouTube removed the content before it reached a wide audience. The group has also used AI-generated memes and news anchors as part of influence operations in Taiwan and the United States.
- Company involved
- Storm-1376 (also known as Spamouflage and Dragonbridge)
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Google, Microsoft, OpenAI chatbots gave false EU election information
A report by Democracy Reporting International found that chatbots from Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI provided incorrect election dates and voting information to users ahead of the European Parliament election. The experiment, conducted in March 2024, tested the chatbots in multiple languages and found that they often hallucinated facts. The European Commission subsequently ordered the companies to explain their measures under the Digital Services Act. Google and Microsoft said they are restricting election-related queries.
- Company involved
- Google, Microsoft, OpenAI
- AI system involved
- ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot
6 source articles · read the reporting →
ICO investigates Microsoft's Recall feature for privacy risks
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a statement on 22 May 2024 regarding Microsoft's Recall feature. The ICO is making enquiries with Microsoft to understand the safeguards in place to protect user privacy, expecting transparency and necessity in data processing. This follows concerns that the feature may not adequately consider data protection from the outset before being brought to market.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Recall
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft sued after MSN circulates AI-generated fake article accusing Irish broadcaster of sexual misconduct
Dave Fanning, an Irish DJ and talk show host, is suing Microsoft and BNN Breaking after MSN featured an AI-generated article falsely claiming he faced trial for alleged sexual misconduct. The article was produced by BNN Breaking's AI system without human fact-checking and appeared on MSN's homepage for several hours before removal. Fanning alleges defamation and reputational damage. The lawsuit is pending.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- BNN Breaking
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft quietly deletes largest public face recognition data set MS Celeb
Microsoft created the MS Celeb dataset containing 10 million images of nearly 100,000 individuals scraped from the web without their consent. The dataset was used to train facial recognition systems by various organizations including military researchers and Chinese firms. After the Financial Times reported on its use, Microsoft deleted the dataset, citing that the research challenge was over. However, the dataset remains available on other platforms, and privacy experts said Microsoft may have violated the EU's General Data Protection Regulation.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- MS Celeb
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Center for Investigative Reporting Sues OpenAI, Microsoft Over Copyright
The Center for Investigative Reporting, publisher of Mother Jones and Reveal, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft in federal court, alleging the companies used its copyrighted articles without permission or compensation to train their AI products. The nonprofit argues that the AI-generated summaries of its stories threaten journalism and violate the Copyright Act and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
- Company involved
- OpenAI and Microsoft
6 source articles · read the reporting →
ChatGPT and Copilot repeated false claim about CNN debate delay
On June 27, 2024, OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft's Copilot generated false information about a broadcast delay during the CNN presidential debate. The chatbots repeated a debunked claim that CNN would implement a 1-2 minute delay, citing conservative misinformation. OpenAI later corrected ChatGPT's response, while Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment.
- Company involved
- OpenAI and Microsoft
- AI system involved
- ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Big Tech companies used YouTube videos to train AI without consent
Proof News found that subtitles from 173,536 YouTube videos were used by companies including Anthropic, Nvidia, Apple, and Salesforce to train AI models. The dataset, called YouTube Subtitles, was created by EleutherAI and published in 2020. Creators were not aware and some have expressed frustration, calling it theft. The companies have acknowledged using the dataset but argue it was publicly available.
- Company involved
- Anthropic, Nvidia, Apple, Salesforce, Bloomberg, Databricks
- AI system involved
- Claude, OpenELM
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Taylor & Francis sells academic authors' research to Microsoft AI without consent
Academic authors have expressed shock after Taylor & Francis sold access to their research to Microsoft AI without informing them or offering additional payment. The authors allege they were not given the opportunity to opt out of the deal. The arrangement involves Microsoft using the research to train its AI systems. The authors have not received any compensation for the use of their work.
- Company involved
- Taylor & Francis
- AI system involved
- Microsoft AI
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft's emissions rise almost 30% as it races to meet AI demand
Microsoft's greenhouse gas emissions rose almost 30 per cent as the company races to meet demand for artificial intelligence. The increase is linked to the energy needed to build and power data centres for AI systems.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Authors sue OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement over AI training
In January 2024, journalists and authors Nicholas Basbanes and Nick Gage sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement. The lawsuit alleges that the companies used their published journalism to train large language models without permission or compensation. The case has been folded into a class action brought by the Authors Guild. The AI firms have denied any wrongdoing, and the case is still making its way through the legal system.
- Company involved
- OpenAI
- AI system involved
- Large language model (ChatGPT)
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft Copilot vulnerable to automated phishing and data theft
Security researcher Michael Bargury demonstrated at Black Hat that Microsoft's Copilot AI can be manipulated by attackers to send phishing emails, extract private data, and bypass security protections. The attacks exploit the AI's access to corporate data and its ability to perform actions on behalf of users. Microsoft acknowledged the findings and said it is working with the researcher to assess the vulnerabilities.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Copilot
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. sue MiniMax over Hailuo AI copyright infringement
Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery have filed a copyright lawsuit against Chinese AI company MiniMax, alleging that its Hailuo AI image and video generator was built using stolen copyrighted characters. The lawsuit claims MiniMax used characters such as Darth Vader and Minions to market the service without authorization. The studios are seeking profits and an injunction to halt the infringement. MiniMax has not responded to the allegations.
- Company involved
- MiniMax
- AI system involved
- Hailuo AI
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service AI singles out workers in performance predictions
A report by Cracked Labs found that Microsoft's Dynamics 365 Field Service software uses AI to generate performance metrics and predict task durations, singling out individual workers. The AI predictions can be influenced by the worker's identity, such as increasing or decreasing estimated duration. Microsoft stated the system is not intended for employment decisions and is not a surveillance tool, but the report raises concerns about potential misuse for worker monitoring.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Dynamics 365 Field Service
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Thomson Reuters wins copyright lawsuit against AI startup Ross Intelligence
In 2020, Thomson Reuters filed a copyright lawsuit against legal AI startup Ross Intelligence, alleging that Ross reproduced materials from its Westlaw legal research service. In February 2025, a US District Court judge ruled in Thomson Reuters' favor, finding that Ross infringed copyright and that fair use did not apply. Ross Intelligence had shut down in 2021 due to litigation costs.
- Company involved
- Ross Intelligence
- AI system involved
- Ross Intelligence
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft Bing Copilot falsely accuses German journalist of crimes
Martin Bernklau, a German court reporter, asked Microsoft's Bing Copilot about himself and found that the AI chatbot had falsely accused him of crimes he had covered. The false information persisted despite Microsoft's promises to delete it. Bernklau's lawyer sent a cease-and-desist demand, and the case has been reported to data protection authorities. The incident highlights the problem of AI hallucinations and defamation.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Bing Copilot
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Microsoft AI poll asks readers to vote on woman's cause of death
An AI-generated poll on Microsoft Start appeared alongside a Guardian article about a young woman's death, asking readers to vote on whether she died by murder, accident, or suicide. The poll, marked 'Insights from AI', caused outrage and emotional distress to the bereaved family, and The Guardian's chief executive wrote to Microsoft's president demanding assurances. Microsoft acknowledged the error, deactivated all AI-generated polls, and is investigating the cause.
- Company involved
- Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Microsoft Start
10 source articles · read the reporting →
