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.

Clear

44 incidents closest to “Z-FIRE (Wildfire)” · matched on meaning · public reporting

WF-8NT87Y8 Apr 2025

ZTO Express unmanned vehicle drags fallen e-bike in Shaanxi

On 8 April 2025, a ZTO Express unmanned delivery vehicle operated by Jiushi Intelligent Technology in Xianyang, Shaanxi, failed to detect a fallen electric bicycle and dragged it along the road. The vehicle's safety system triggered braking after contact but then resumed speed. No injuries were reported, and the company suspended the vehicle, apologised, and is cooperating with traffic police investigation.

Company involved
ZTO Express
AI system involved
九识无人车

4 source articles · read the reporting →

Franklin County detective fired after using Flock cameras to track private citizen - WXII

The system was used to track the movements of a private citizen.

Company involved
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
AI system involved
Flock cameras

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-DIKNV026 Aug 2026

Elk Grove Tesla driver killed in fiery collision with tractor - CBS News

Vehicle control and navigation, affecting the driver

Company involved
Tesla

1 source article · read the reporting →

Ocado warehouse fire after three robots collide disrupts deliveries

A fire broke out at Ocado's Erith customer fulfilment centre after three robots collided on the automated grid. The blaze damaged less than one per cent of the grid and forced the evacuation of hundreds of staff, though no injuries were reported. Ocado apologised to customers after cancelling some deliveries and temporarily blocking new orders, with normal operations expected to resume within a week. The company stated that correct safety protocols were followed, including sprinkler activation and fire brigade response.

Company involved
Ocado

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-1CLA2811 Aug 2026

AI hallucinated case law in insurance company’s filings in L.A. County house fire dispute - Los Angeles Times

AI generated false legal citations that were submitted in court, affecting the plaintiff in an insurance dispute.

Company involved
State Farm
AI system involved
Irys

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-LFERGM1 Jan 2024

Federal class-action lawsuit filed against Flock Safety - Live 5 News

The system scanned license plates and led to police stops or accusations against individuals.

Company involved
Flock Safety
AI system involved
Flock Safety ALPRs

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-DA2WQJ4 Feb 2021

False AIS tracks simulated for Swedish Navy vessels

An investigation by SkyTruth and Global Fishing Watch revealed that false automatic identification system (AIS) tracks were generated for nine Swedish Navy vessels on February 4-5, 2021. The Swedish Navy confirmed the positions were false. The false tracks appeared plausible and were indistinguishable from real AIS broadcasts, posing a threat to data integrity for marine monitoring.

AI system involved
Automatic Identification System (AIS)

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-BWZQYO26 Aug 2026Indonesian

Tesla FSD Still Crashes at Railroad Crossings, Latest Feature Fails Completely

Tesla FSD Masih Tabrak Rel Kereta, Fitur Terbaru Gagal Total - telset.id

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) v14.3.7 failed to recognize an active railroad crossing and accelerated toward the tracks until the driver manually braked to avoid an oncoming freight train. Dashcam footage of the incident was posted by automotive journalist Lei Xing on August 26, 2026. NHTSA has opened an investigation after receiving 58 reports of FSD traffic violations, including railroad crossing incidents.

Company involved
Tesla
AI system involved
FSD v14.3.7

1 source article · read the reporting →

AI data center sprinklers spark Denver backlash amid drought - Cybernews

An AI data center watered its grounds with sprinklers during drought restrictions, flooding the area and affecting nearby Denver residents who faced watering limits.

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-9L2WSN4 Sep 2025

Firefighters in Manila respond to AI-generated hoax truck fire

On 4 September 2025, firefighters in Parola, Manila, responded to a report of a burning truck, only to discover the photo was AI-generated and the truck was intact. Four fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection and Recto Volunteer Fire arrived at the scene. Fire chief Samuel Fenix warned that such false information endangers responders and the public, and the person responsible could face fines under the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines.

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-LQT9BX10 Sep 2026

Waukesha County Flock cameras; WILL files lawsuit - FOX6 News Milwaukee

Flock cameras continuously capture license plate data and images, tracking vehicles' movements and storing data on residents in Waukesha County.

Company involved
Flock
AI system involved
Flock cameras

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-FU44MK29 May 2025

LAWSUIT: Waukesha County man gets 'Flocked' by sheriff’s dept. after filing complaint against deputy - TMJ4 News

The Flock license plate reader system allowed sheriff's deputies to search and track Napoleon Jones's vehicle more than 100 times after he filed a citizen complaint.

Company involved
Flock Safety
AI system involved
Flock Safety

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-81HREC23 May 2026EN

Severe flooding in Mason County relating to data center construction, residents to be reimbursed for damages

Runoff from construction of the Monarch Compute Campus, a data centre project of Fidelis New Energy with Nscale, flooded homes along University Lane in Mason County, West Virginia, after heavy rain when a section of silt fencing gave way. Residents reported water under their houses and fear mould. The site manager said the company would cover cleanup and repairs; the neighbourhood flooded again in July.

Company involved
Fidelis New Energy / Nscale
AI system involved
Monarch Compute Campus

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-7WIC5Y15 Jun 2025

Police use Flock Safety ALPR network to surveil protesters without warrants

The Electronic Frontier Foundation obtained data showing that over 50 law enforcement agencies ran hundreds of searches through Flock Safety's automated license plate reader network in connection with protest activity in 2025. The searches targeted vehicles associated with protests, including the No Kings movement and animal rights activists, without articulating a specific crime. The surveillance creates a chilling effect on First Amendment-protected dissent.

Company involved
Flock Safety
AI system involved
Flock Safety ALPR network

7 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-A92BBP23 Jun 2026

Cherokee County deputies fired for misusing Flock licence plate database

Three deputies from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia were fired and arrested for allegedly accessing the department’s automated licence plate reader database without a lawful purpose. The misuse was uncovered following a self-initiated audit of the Flock Safety system. All three individuals face charges of violation of oath of office.

Company involved
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
AI system involved
Flock Safety

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-4MF24H14 Sep 2026

Hackers breach Flock camera data, share findings with media - NBC Montana

The Flock camera system photographed and tracked vehicles and individuals, generating millions of images and license plate data for law enforcement use.

Company involved
Flock
AI system involved
Flock camera

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-747SPG20 Jun 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 involved
Zoox
AI system involved
Zoox autonomous driving software

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-C2SBHV4 Jan 2026

AI-Generated Fake Photo of Orlando West High School Fire Causes Outrage and EMS Warning

A fake AI-generated photo depicting Orlando West High School in Soweto on fire was circulated online, prompting an investigation by Johannesburg Emergency Management Services. EMS spokesperson Kagiso Phasha confirmed the image was a hoax and warned that such pranks cause unnecessary expenditure and divert critical resources. The incident has sparked outrage and a stern warning that those responsible will face legal consequences.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-C7VZQT8 Jan 2025

AI-generated images falsely show Hollywood Sign on fire during LA wildfires

During the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, AI-generated images and videos depicting the Hollywood Sign engulfed in flames circulated widely on social media. The landmark was not affected by the Sunset Fire, but the fake content caused confusion and distress among people already dealing with evacuations and loss. Social media users and platforms added context labels noting the images were fake, while some criticised the spread of harmful misinformation.

Company involved
X
AI system involved
AI image generators

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-CLZ4F823 Jun 2025

AI-Enabled Influence Operation PRISONBREAK Used Deepfake to Incite Revolt in Iran

A network of over 50 inauthentic X profiles, assessed as likely linked to the Israeli government, conducted an AI-enabled influence operation called PRISONBREAK. On 23 June 2025, during Israeli airstrikes, the network posted an AI-generated deepfake video of the bombing of Evin Prison in Tehran, which was initially republished as real by international news outlets. The operation aimed to incite Iranian audiences to overthrow the regime. Citizen Lab found the operation was synchronized with military actions and continues to the present day.

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-EQWUTD6 Dec 2017

Waze App Routed Drivers Toward LA Wildfire Zones

During the December 2017 Los Angeles wildfires, the Waze navigation app reportedly directed drivers towards roads with light traffic that were empty because fires were burning nearby. The Los Angeles Police Department asked residents to avoid such apps. Waze responded by closing approximately 443 road segments in consultation with the L.A. Department of Transportation and stated that its crisis response team worked to update maps in real time. No injuries were reported, but the incident exposed the risks of relying on real-time routing algorithms during natural disasters.

Company involved
Waze
AI system involved
Waze

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-GCXWSR1 Jun 2023

Zhejiang Police Arrest Three for AI-Generated Fake Fire Video

In June 2023, police in Shangyu, Zhejiang, discovered a viral video depicting a massive fire at an industrial park. Investigation revealed the video was fabricated using AI to stitch together unrelated clips and generate a script. Three employees of a network technology company were arrested for creating and spreading over 3,000 such fake videos since May to gain online traffic. The case highlights the misuse of generative AI to spread disinformation.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-ZZE9XY1 Jun 2024

Facebook's spam filter blocks vital wildfire safety warnings, endangering lives

Facebook's automated spam detection system has been flagging and removing posts containing critical wildfire safety information, including updates from volunteer groups and official agencies. The removals, which began increasing in June 2024, have affected residents in California and other western states during a severe wildfire season. Users report not being notified of the removals, and appeals have gone unanswered. Facebook says it is investigating the issue.

Company involved
Facebook

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-SAER6E4 Jul 2026

Waymo vehicle catches fire after driving over firework in San Francisco

On 4 July 2026, an unoccupied Waymo robotaxi caught fire in San Francisco after driving over a lit firework. No injuries were reported. The incident occurred amid widespread traffic congestion, with multiple Waymo vehicles becoming disabled and blocking roads. Waymo coordinated with the fire department to remove the vehicle and said it was evaluating ways to improve resilience during major disruptions.

Company involved
Waymo
AI system involved
Waymo

1 source article · read the reporting →

page 1 of 2Older →