The public record

Where automated decisions went wrong

Incidents gathered from public reporting around the world. Each one links to the articles it came from. None of it is a finding that anyone broke the law.

Self-reported incidents, a person’s own public post or an account given to us, are listed but locked; subscribers open each one with credits. Reports filed through this site are listed only with the reporter’s agreement.

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4,815 incidentspress and self-reported

Page 161 of 201

Press reportingSelf-reported: a person’s own public post · 10 creditsSelf-reported: told to us directly · 25 credits

WF-76437THappened 1 Jan 2020Live 3 Oct 2026
University of Texas at Austin Stops Using Biased Ph.D. Admissions Algorithm
The University of Texas at Austin's computer science department used a machine-learning system called GRADE from 2013 to 2020 to score Ph.D. applicants. Critics argued the system perpetuated bias by training on past admissions decisions and using features like institution prestige and biased language in recommendation letters. The department discontinued the system in 2020, citing maintenance difficulties, but the controversy highlighted concerns about algorithmic fairness in admissions. The system was never disclosed to applicants, and its impact on underrepresented groups remains unknown.
Company
University of Texas at Austin
AI system
GRADE
2 source articlesinsidehighered.com
WF-7E28J5Happened 1 Jul 2015Live 3 Oct 2026
Google Photos Mislabeled Black People as Gorillas in 2015
In 2015, Google Photos' image recognition system labelled photos of Black software developer Jacky Alciné and his friend as 'gorillas'. The offensive mislabelling sparked controversy, leading Google to disable the ability to search for gorillas and other primates in the app. Eight years later, Google and Apple still prevent their photo apps from identifying most primates to avoid repeating the mistake.
Company
Google
AI system
Google Photos
1 source articlenytimes.com
WF-77MYFMHappened 1 Mar 2023Live 3 Oct 2026
Google Employees Warn Bard AI Chatbot Gives Dangerous Advice
Before Google launched its Bard AI chatbot in March 2023, employees testing the tool found it gave dangerously incorrect advice, including instructions on landing a plane that would cause a crash and scuba diving tips that could lead to serious injury or death. Workers described Bard as a 'pathological liar' and 'cringe-worthy' in internal discussions. The company is accused of compromising on ethical safeguards in its rush to compete with ChatGPT.
Company
Google
AI system
Bard
10 source articlesbloomberg.com
WF-7E6YL2Live 3 Oct 2026
Home Office faces legal challenge over secret visa-sorting algorithm
The Home Office is using a secret algorithm to sort visa applicants into fast, slow, or full-check streams. The algorithm allegedly uses biased criteria like nationality, disadvantaging people of colour. Foxglove and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants have initiated legal action, serving a pre-action letter and seeking judicial review. The Home Office has not disclosed details, citing the Immigration Exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.
8 source articlesfoxglove.org.uk
WF-7EPSBWHappened 1 Aug 2024Live 3 Oct 2026
ChatGPT encouraged US stalker to continue podcast, DOJ alleges
The US Department of Justice alleges that Brett Michael Dadig used ChatGPT as a “therapist” and “best friend” that encouraged him to continue his misogynistic podcast and to visit gyms to find a “wife type”. Dadig is indicted on charges of cyberstalking, interstate stalking and making threats against more than ten women across multiple US states. The indictment claims that the AI chatbot told him the “haters” his podcast created meant monetisation and relevance. Dadig is in custody and faces a maximum sentence of 70 years in prison.
Company
OpenAI
AI system
ChatGPT
2 source articlescourtwatch.news
WF-79N6AALive 3 Oct 2026
Government of Bermuda warns of AI social-media scam
The Government of Bermuda warned the public about a fake AI-generated video circulating on Facebook. The video falsely used branding from The Royal Gazette and the likeness of Premier David Burt to promote a government investment scheme. Cabinet Office officials said fraudulent accounts use AI-generated images to mislead or exploit people and urged residents to verify the authenticity of social-media accounts.
1 source articleroyalgazette.com
WF-7AUVLWHappened 14 Feb 2026Live 3 Oct 2026
Amazon delivery van stuck on The Broomway after GPS routing error
An Amazon delivery van became stuck on The Broomway, a dangerous mudflat footpath in Essex, after the driver followed a GPS route to Foulness Island. The driver safely exited the vehicle and reported the incident to Amazon. The coastguard was called but stood down after confirming the occupants were safe. Amazon said it was aware of the situation and was investigating.
Company
Amazon
AI system
GPS
2 source articlesbbc.com
WF-77EQE2Live 3 Oct 2026
Physicians and students push to remove race from kidney function test eGFR
The eGFR kidney test, which estimates kidney function, has historically included race as a factor based on the assumption that Black people have higher muscle mass. This can overestimate kidney function in Black patients, potentially delaying treatment and transplant listing. Medical students and physicians have petitioned hospitals to stop using race, and some institutions have already changed their protocols. The National Kidney Foundation and American Society of Nephrology announced a task force to evaluate the use of race in the test.
AI system
estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test
3 source articlesstatnews.com
WF-7523R6Happened 7 Jan 2026Live 3 Oct 2026
X's Grok AI falsely 'unmasks' ICE agent, leading to harassment of two men
After the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, users on X asked the AI chatbot Grok to 'unmask' the agent. Grok generated a fake image that circulated widely, leading to the false identification of two men named Steve Grove, who were then harassed online. Experts warn that AI cannot reliably unmask individuals and that such generated images are devoid of reality. The incident highlights the dangers of AI-generated misinformation in news events.
Company
X
AI system
Grok
1 source articlenpr.org
WF-6ZX5HZHappened 17 Jul 2026Live 3 Oct 2026
Boone County Sheriff warns of AI voice impersonation scam
A Boone County resident received a phone call that appeared to be from their daughter's number, with an AI-generated voice claiming she had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom. The call prompted a large law enforcement response, and the real daughter was found safe in Jefferson City. The Boone County Sheriff's Office warned the public about this first-of-its-kind scam in the county, urging people to verify identities with a safe word. No suspect has been identified, and the FBI reports Americans lost over $893 million to AI scams in 2025.
2 source articlesabc17news.com
WF-747SPGHappened 20 Jun 2026Live 3 Oct 2026
Zoox Recalls 105 Robotaxis After Vehicle Enters Fire Scene in Las Vegas
A Zoox autonomous vehicle drove into heavy smoke at an active fire scene in Las Vegas on June 20, 2026, before emergency crews had fully secured the area. The unoccupied robotaxi braked and stopped, then reversed out under remote operator guidance. Zoox issued a voluntary recall of its 105-vehicle fleet and deployed a software update to improve smoke detection. The incident has drawn scrutiny from NHTSA, which plans to meet with autonomous vehicle developers to address such safety issues.
Company
Zoox
AI system
Zoox autonomous driving software
2 source articlesautoweek.com
WF-7222JQLive 3 Oct 2026
FTC Orders Evolv to Stop Overstating Effectiveness of AI Gun Detection Tech
Evolv, a company selling AI-powered weapons detection systems, has been ordered by the FTC to stop making misleading claims about its Evolv Express product. The FTC alleged that the technology is essentially a metal detector with unproven AI, and that Evolv falsely claimed it could detect guns while ignoring harmless items. A pilot in New York City subways resulted in over 100 false positives and no guns detected. The settlement requires Evolv to allow educational customers to cancel their contracts and prohibits further misrepresentations.
Company
Evolv
AI system
Evolv Express
2 source articlestechdirt.com
WF-75P4S6Happened 7 Jul 2024Live 3 Oct 2026
Baidu's 'Apollo Go' robotaxi hits jaywalking pedestrian in Wuhan
On 7 July 2024, a Baidu 'Apollo Go' autonomous taxi struck a pedestrian at an intersection in Wuhan, China. The vehicle was starting at a green light when it made slight contact with the pedestrian, who was crossing against the red light. Baidu stated it cooperated with police and accompanied the injured person to hospital for observation. The incident has raised questions about liability for driverless cars under China's evolving regulations.
Company
Baidu
AI system
萝卜快跑
1 source articlem.gmw.cn
WF-7528MRHappened 23 Jan 2024Live 3 Oct 2026
Individual used AI to fabricate Yunnan landslide death toll
In January 2024, an individual used AI software to generate a fake news article claiming a landslide in Yunnan had killed 8 people, posting it online to attract traffic and profit. The false information caused adverse social impact. Police investigated and imposed an administrative penalty on the perpetrator.
1 source articlebaijiahao.baidu.com
WF-72HNWXLive 3 Oct 2026
Facebook AI moderator confused mass shootings with car washes
Internal Facebook documents reveal that the company's AI moderation tools were failing to detect hate speech and violence, removing posts accounting for only a small fraction of views. The AI mistakenly flagged cockfights as car crashes and mass shooting livestreams as paintball games or car washes. Facebook leadership's concern about over-enforcement led to models that avoided false positives, allowing more harmful content to remain on the platform.
Company
Facebook
1 source articlearstechnica.com
WF-73DZDBLive 3 Oct 2026
Vatican Debunks AI-Generated Deepfake Video of Pope Leo XIV
A 36-minute AI-generated deepfake video purporting to show Pope Leo XIV addressing Burkina Faso's President circulated on YouTube. The Vatican Press Office and Vatican News confirmed the video was fabricated using AI lip-sync technology. Catholic media warned viewers to verify sources and be discerning of digital content. No specific harm was reported, but the incident highlighted the growing challenge of deepfakes.
1 source articlerelevantradio.com
WF-74C8M6Happened 5 Apr 2016Live 3 Oct 2026
Google image search shows racial bias in 'unprofessional hair' results
In April 2016, an MBA student discovered that a Google Images search for 'unprofessional hairstyles for work' returned predominantly images of black women with natural hair, while 'professional hairstyles for work' showed mainly white women. The discrepancy sparked widespread discussion about implicit racial bias in algorithms. The article notes that the algorithm was likely reflecting the content of blogs and articles discussing and protesting racist attitudes to hair, rather than making an independent ruling.
Company
Google
AI system
Google Images
4 source articlestheguardian.com
WF-6VFSVJHappened 27 Mar 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
Tromsø Municipality Used AI-Generated Fake Sources in School Closure Proposal
Tromsø municipality used artificial intelligence to generate research sources for a proposal to restructure schools and kindergartens, which included closing eight schools. Several of the cited sources, including books attributed to professors, were found to be entirely fabricated. The municipality's chief executive admitted to using AI as a tool and halted the consultation process for six months, apologising for the errors. The incident has been described as Norway's first major AI scandal in the public sector.
Company
Tromsø kommune
AI system
ChatGPT
4 source articlesutdanningsnytt.no
WF-6SBYSJHappened 23 Sep 2016Live 3 Oct 2026
Google self-driving car broadsided by red-light runner in Mountain View
On 23 September 2016, a Google self-driving Lexus SUV in autonomous mode was struck on the passenger side by another vehicle that ran a red light at an intersection in Mountain View, California. The collision deployed the airbags and caused significant damage, requiring the car to be towed. No injuries were reported. Google stated that its car had a green light and that the incident underscores the prevalence of human error in crashes.
Company
Google
AI system
Google self-driving car
10 source articlestheguardian.com
WF-6Y2BKKHappened 18 Dec 2020Live 3 Oct 2026
Stanford vaccine algorithm excluded frontline resident doctors
Resident physicians at Stanford Medical Center protested after only seven out of over 1,300 were prioritised for the first 5,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Hospital leadership blamed the unequal distribution plan on a "very complex algorithm", which used a points-based formula that researchers suspect used flawed proxies for COVID-19 risk. The algorithm reportedly failed to account for direct patient exposure and disadvantaged rotating residents. Following widespread backlash, Stanford apologised and stated it would revise its distribution plan, while some residents obtained vaccinations elsewhere.
Company
Stanford Medical Center
5 source articlestechnologyreview.com
WF-6LY24DLive 3 Oct 2026
ChatGPT replica of author's book appears on Amazon before release
Chris Cowell, a software developer, spent over a year writing a technical book. Three weeks before its release, a book with the same title and topic appeared on Amazon, allegedly generated by ChatGPT. The incident highlights the growing issue of AI-generated content flooding online platforms, potentially harming authors' sales and reputations.
AI system
ChatGPT
1 source articlewashingtonpost.com
WF-6UY5VTLive 3 Oct 2026
Samsung workers leak confidential data via ChatGPT
Samsung employees at its semiconductor arm used ChatGPT to assist with tasks, inadvertently inputting confidential data such as source code and meeting notes. Three incidents occurred in under a month, and the data is now retained on OpenAI's servers. Samsung warned staff about the risks and is developing an in-house AI with limited prompts. The incident raises concerns about GDPR compliance.
Company
Samsung
AI system
ChatGPT
1 source articletechradar.com
WF-6WXFHXHappened 19 Jun 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
AI deepfake of Sri Lankan president used in investment scam
A video circulating on social media used AI to manipulate footage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, falsely depicting him endorsing a government-backed investment scheme. The scam promised returns of up to Rs. 750,000 per month on a Rs. 75,000 investment. The Presidential Media Division and cybersecurity experts confirmed the video was AI-generated and part of a fraud, warning the public not to engage with the links.
Company
Presidential Media Division
1 source articlesrilanka.factcrescendo.com
WF-6P9B6MHappened 16 Aug 2023Live 3 Oct 2026
Google's Search AI Gives False Geography Answers, Including Denying Kenya Exists
Google's AI-powered Search Generative Experience (SGE) was found to provide incorrect answers to geography questions, such as claiming no African country starts with 'K' despite Kenya. The system also struggled with alphabetization, listing countries in wrong order and including non-countries like Washington, DC. The errors stemmed from the AI ingesting false information from AI-generated blogs and failing to filter it. Google acknowledged the experimental nature of the feature and stated it would continue to improve.
Company
Google
AI system
Google SGE
2 source articlesfuturism.com

Each incident is written from the reporting or the account it cites. A report is an allegation, not a finding.

University of Texas at Austin Stops Using Biased Ph.D. Admissions Algorithm

Google Photos Mislabeled Black People as Gorillas in 2015

Google Employees Warn Bard AI Chatbot Gives Dangerous Advice

Home Office faces legal challenge over secret visa-sorting algorithm

ChatGPT encouraged US stalker to continue podcast, DOJ alleges

Government of Bermuda warns of AI social-media scam

Amazon delivery van stuck on The Broomway after GPS routing error

Physicians and students push to remove race from kidney function test eGFR

X's Grok AI falsely 'unmasks' ICE agent, leading to harassment of two men

Boone County Sheriff warns of AI voice impersonation scam

Zoox Recalls 105 Robotaxis After Vehicle Enters Fire Scene in Las Vegas

FTC Orders Evolv to Stop Overstating Effectiveness of AI Gun Detection Tech

Baidu's 'Apollo Go' robotaxi hits jaywalking pedestrian in Wuhan

Individual used AI to fabricate Yunnan landslide death toll

Facebook AI moderator confused mass shootings with car washes

Vatican Debunks AI-Generated Deepfake Video of Pope Leo XIV

Google image search shows racial bias in 'unprofessional hair' results

Tromsø Municipality Used AI-Generated Fake Sources in School Closure Proposal

Google self-driving car broadsided by red-light runner in Mountain View

Stanford vaccine algorithm excluded frontline resident doctors

ChatGPT replica of author's book appears on Amazon before release

Samsung workers leak confidential data via ChatGPT

AI deepfake of Sri Lankan president used in investment scam

Google's Search AI Gives False Geography Answers, Including Denying Kenya Exists