The 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.

Reports people file about their own experience are not shown here and never will be without their agreement. Tell us what happened to you.

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92 incidents closest to “Z-HAIL (Hail)” · matched on meaning · public reporting

WF-TCBQJQ22 Apr 2022

Tesla crashes into $3.5 million jet during Smart Summon

A Tesla Model Y using the Smart Summon feature crashed into a Cirrus Vision Jet at an airport in Spokane. The owner was using the feature to summon the vehicle autonomously across a parking area. Video evidence suggests the owner was not paying attention and the vehicle failed to detect the aircraft, continuing to push it after impact. The incident resulted in significant property damage to the $3.5 million jet.

Company involved
Tesla
AI system involved
Smart Summon

7 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-O7NVTN25 Dec 2025

Mag 7 Ltd. et al. v. Tederi et al. (District Court, Tel Aviv-Yafo): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Monetary Sanction;…

The AI generated fabricated case law that was submitted to the court, affecting the legal proceedings.

1 source article · read the reporting →

Hikvision sells Uyghur recognition system to Chinese authorities

Hikvision, a Chinese surveillance company, sold a facial recognition system powered by NVIDIA to authorities in the People's Republic of China. The system is designed to identify Uyghur individuals, enabling ethnic profiling and surveillance. The article reports that the system was marketed as a tool for public security and was deployed without transparency or accountability. No specific incident of harm is described, but the potential for widespread discrimination and human rights abuses is highlighted.

Company involved
Hikvision
AI system involved
Uyghur recognition system

10 source articles · read the reporting →

Shenzhen traffic police to use AI surveillance to punish jaywalkers via text messages

The Shenzhen Traffic Police in China are implementing an AI-powered surveillance system to detect jaywalkers and automatically send them text message fines or warnings. The system uses cameras and facial recognition to identify individuals crossing roads illegally. The police claim this will improve enforcement efficiency, but critics raise concerns about privacy and the potential for errors in identification.

Company involved
Shenzhen Traffic Police

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-UJYS3M1 Jun 2025

Hellobike self-driving car injures two pedestrians in Zhuzhou

In June 2025, a Hellobike autonomous taxi in Zhuzhou, Hunan, veered off course and struck two pedestrians crossing the road, causing serious injuries. The company suspended its autonomous driving operations in Zhuzhou and Liyang following the crash. Reports suggest the vehicle may have lacked sufficient underside sensors, leading to detection failures. The incident is believed to be the first publicly known injury-causing crash involving a robotaxi in China.

Company involved
哈啰
AI system involved
哈啰自动驾驶 Robotaxi

4 source articles · read the reporting →

Hangzhou No. 11 Middle School installs facial recognition system to monitor students

Hangzhou No. 11 Middle School has deployed a smart classroom behaviour management system, developed with Hikvision, that uses facial recognition to take attendance and analyse students' expressions and behaviour. The system alerts teachers when students appear inattentive. The school says it records only behavioural state information, not video, and that it will be installed in all classes. Some people have raised privacy concerns.

Company involved
杭州第十一中学
AI system involved
智慧课堂行为管理系统

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-XQL7UV26 Feb 2026

Lake Zurich High School students used AI to generate explicit images of female classmates

In February 2026, students at Lake Zurich High School used artificial intelligence to generate sexually explicit images of female classmates without their consent. The school district acknowledged the incident and notified police, who are investigating. More than 40 girls from fifth grade to high school were reportedly affected. The school provided support and issued disciplinary consequences, while the police investigation continues.

Company involved
Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-FLO12O28 Jul 2025

Pelishek v. City of Sheboygan (E.D. Wisconsin): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Monetary Sanction

The AI system generated false legal citations that were included in a court filing, misleading the court and opposing counsel.

Company involved
John A. Pelishek
AI system involved
Westlaw Quick Check and AI Case Search Tool

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-WNUEBH25 May 2020

Hangzhou plans permanent health codes with scoring, sparking privacy backlash

Hangzhou health authorities announced plans to launch a permanent health-tracking QR code system that would assign residents a color and numerical score based on medical records and lifestyle choices. The proposal, an expansion of the existing COVID-19 health code system, has sparked online backlash over privacy concerns and fears of discrimination. Critics argue that the system could lead to public exposure of personal health data and potential misuse by employers. The authorities aim to complete the project by May or June 2020.

Company involved
Hangzhou Health Authorities
AI system involved
Health Code

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-G0G50416 Feb 2023

Hangzhou police investigate ChatGPT-written fake notice cancelling traffic restrictions

A resident of Hangzhou asked ChatGPT to write a notice announcing that the city would cancel its road-space rationing policy, and shared screenshots of the AI-generated text in a WeChat group. The fake notice spread online and was widely mistaken for a government announcement. Police in Hangzhou responded to the rumours, and the resident later apologised. Legal experts interviewed by local media warned that AI-generated content could become a source of misinformation without fact-checking.

AI system involved
ChatGPT

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-9PEI6Z29 Aug 2019

Zao deepfake app sparks privacy and fraud fears in China

The Zao face-swapping app, developed by Momo, sparked privacy and fraud fears after its launch in China on 29 August 2019. The app's terms and conditions initially gave the developer permanent rights to use users' images, which experts said broke Chinese law. Momo subsequently apologized and deleted the controversial clause. Alipay assured users that deepfakes could not bypass its facial recognition payment system.

Company involved
Momo
AI system involved
Zao

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-ZFY5HV20 May 2019

Jinan traffic authority cancels ticket after AI camera mistakes face scratch for phone use

Jinan city traffic authority cancelled a fine issued to a driver after an AI traffic camera mistook him scratching his face for using a mobile phone. The man, surnamed Liu, was told he had violated road rules while driving and was ordered to pay 50 yuan and receive two penalty points. He said no one would help him over the phone, but the authority later rescinded the ticket, explaining that the surveillance system automatically detects motorists' movements and takes photographs.

Company involved
Jinan city traffic authority

6 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-N16FBJ1 Oct 2022

Israeli military uses Smash Hopper turret against Palestinian protesters

The Israeli military deployed Smash Hopper remote-controlled gun turrets in the West Bank. The turrets fire stun grenades, less-than-lethal bullets, and tear gas at Palestinian protesters without warning. The systems were observed at Al-Aroub refugee camp and Hebron in October 2022. The Smash Hopper is produced by Smart Shooter.

Company involved
Israeli military
AI system involved
Smash Hopper

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-B4HA2D17 Jan 2025

United States v. Hayes (E.D. California): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Formal Sanction Imposed + Written Reprimand

The AI-generated fictitious citation was submitted in a motion to unseal, affecting the defendant's legal proceedings.

Company involved
Federal Public Defender's Office, Eastern District of California

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-EEPCVN25 Jul 2021

UAE cloud seeding drones cause Dubai rainstorms

The UAE government used cloud seeding drones to generate rainstorms in Dubai during a heatwave. The drones, developed with UK researchers, delivered electrical shocks to clouds to encourage precipitation. The resulting downpour was acknowledged by authorities as a deliberate weather modification effort.

Company involved
United Arab Emirates government
AI system involved
Cloud seeding drones

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-OUDOEJ14 Sep 2026

Henry v. Long Island University (E.D. New York): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Two-year filing-disclosure sanction

The court granted a motion to dismiss and imposed sanctions on plaintiff's counsel for submitting a brief with AI-hallucinated fake cases.

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-SEHSOW1 Aug 2023

China uses AI-generated images to spread disinformation about Hawaii wildfires

China conducted a disinformation campaign about the August 2023 Hawaii wildfires, using AI-generated images to bolster false claims that the fires were caused by a US 'weather weapon'. The campaign was identified by researchers from Microsoft, Recorded Future, and other organizations. The impact was difficult to measure, but early indications suggest limited engagement.

Company involved
China (state actors)

7 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-XHWUDY14 Jun 2022

Zhengzhou officials punished for red health codes on depositors

Five officials in Zhengzhou were punished for ordering red health codes to be assigned to 1,317 depositors of four village banks, restricting their movement and preventing them from withdrawing savings. The officials acted without authorization, and the codes were later turned green after media coverage. Legal experts say the liability for privacy invasion remains unresolved, and the banks may face breach of contract claims.

Company involved
Zhengzhou municipal government
AI system involved
Health code system

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-PS9FKF1 Dec 2020

Houston's ShotSpotter system delays police response and over-polices minority communities

Houston Police Department deployed ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, in Southeast and Northwest Houston starting in late 2020. The system alerts police to suspected gunfire, but over 80% of alerts are unfounded. This has led to longer response times for other calls and increased police presence in predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods, causing anxiety and concerns of over-policing. Critics argue the technology has not reduced gun violence and diverts resources from more effective strategies.

Company involved
Houston Police Department
AI system involved
ShotSpotter

7 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-KBL3YD15 Oct 2019

Hive Box Facial-Recognition Lockers Hacked by Children Using Photos

Fourth-grade students in Jiaxing, China, demonstrated that Hive Box's facial-recognition smart lockers could be opened with a printed photo. The company, which operates a large network of delivery lockers, acknowledged the flaw and suspended the beta feature. The incident raised concerns about the security of facial recognition technology.

Company involved
Hive Box

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-MXE6CO1 Jan 2024

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 →

Unitree humanoid robot thrashes arms and legs during demo in China

Footage shows a Unitree humanoid robot thrashing its arms and legs during a demonstration in a Chinese factory, with handlers backing away. The robot, believed to be the H1 model, was tethered at the head, which experts suggest may have interfered with its balance-correction systems. No injuries were reported. Unitree has not responded to the video.

Company involved
Unitree
AI system involved
H1

4 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-JRCPKL1 May 2021

Israel uses AI-guided drone swarm to attack Hamas militants in Gaza

The Israeli Defence Force deployed an AI-guided drone swarm to identify and target Hamas militants in Gaza in May 2021. The swarm, controlled by a single human operator, provided targeting information for guided mortar weapons that destroyed multiple Hamas targets and weapons caches. The IDF spokesperson stated this was the first known use of such technology in combat.

Company involved
Israeli Defence Force (IDF)

9 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-RV9WY55 Dec 2025

Hello robotaxi crash injures pedestrians in Zhuzhou, China

A Hello Inc. robotaxi struck and injured two pedestrians in Zhuzhou, China, on or around December 5, 2025. Footage showed bystanders and police lifting the vehicle to free a person trapped underneath. Hello has suspended autonomous-driving operations in Zhuzhou. Local police have not yet determined fault, and Hello has not commented. The crash follows a prior incident where a Hello robotaxi allegedly failed to stop after a collision.

Company involved
Hello Inc.
AI system involved
Hello Autonomous Driving

3 source articles · read the reporting →

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