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AI misinformation and synthetic media incidents

Definition

Misinformation and synthetic media incidents document false or misleading content, deepfakes and influence operations produced or spread with AI that degraded the information space or deceived the public.

Included

  • Deepfake video, audio or imagery of real people used to deceive
  • Fabricated news, images or documents that spread as genuine
  • Coordinated influence operations using AI-generated personas or content
  • AI answers or summaries that spread false claims to a wide audience

Excluded

  • Clearly labelled satire, art or research demonstrations
  • Errors confined to one user with no wider spread
Misinformation and synthetic media incidents over time
Documented incidents per year of occurrence. 2026 to date.
Unit: incidents · Source: AI Incident Index v2026.09 · Counts reflect documented incidents, not prevalence · *2026 to date

Incident records1221

Oct 2026AI-Generated Fake Video Spreads Disinformation About Ukrainian Gas StationsConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediadisinfo.detector.mediaУКРІНФОРМOct 2026Russia uses AI to amplify disinformation network against USReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediaInternetUAУКРІНФОРМOct 2026AI-Generated Deepfake Videos Spread Disinformation About Ukrainian Military SurrenderConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaУкраинская сеть новостейunn.uaУКРІНФОРМ+5Oct 2026AI-generated deepfake videos spread on TikTok in Russian disinformation campaign targeting UkraineConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaУКРІНФОРМВисокий ЗамокSep 2026AI-generated fake images of Celebrity lead to criminal charges in South KoreaUnder investigationMisinformation and synthetic media일간스포츠마이데일리아주경제+2Sep 2026AI Chatbots Amplify Misinformation from Partisan "Pink Slime" News SitesConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaPChome Online 新聞Yahoo News (Taiwan)中國報 China Press+5Sep 2026AI-generated deepfakes disrupt elections and businesses with limited defensesWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe ConversationMirage NewsBiometric Update+2Sep 2026AI Digital Humans Pose as Medical Experts to Advertise Products in ChinaWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediacj.sina.com.cnnews.bjd.com.cn中华网科技公司+5Sep 2026Russia uses AI-generated ads on Meta and Google to recruit foreign fighters for Ukraine warReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediah.uaZN.UASep 2026AI-generated deepfake political ads spread ahead of 2026 US midtermsWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediaFrance 24The Japan TimesThe Straits TimesSep 2026Zelda Williams condemns AI-generated deepfake video of late father Robin WilliamsWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe Times of IndiaYahoo NewsVariety+4Sep 2026AI-generated deepfakes fuel political misinformation in Uttar Pradesh electionWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediaHindustan TimesAsianet News Network Pvt LtdAsian News International (ANI)Sep 2026Texas politician files police report over AI-generated deepfake campaign adsAllegedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe New York TimesHouston ChronicleKUT+2Sep 2026AI-generated fake images target South Korean politicianWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic media아주경제Chosun.comWow TV+1Sep 2026AI-powered influence campaigns manipulate social media in US and IsraelConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaAnadolu AjansıThe Jerusalem PostSep 2026Meta's Oversight Board Orders Removal of AI Deepfakes Targeting WomenConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe GuardianCrypto BriefingPetaPixel+4Sep 2026AI-generated images of Trump and White House aide went viralConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediawashingtonpost.comSep 2026Arch Manning Apologizes for Laughing at Deepfake Video of Violence Against ESPN ReporterWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe New York TimesThe GuardianPEOPLE.com+3Sep 2026AI-generated deepfakes alleged in Bosnia political campaign against BećirovićAllegedMisinformation and synthetic mediaDEPO PortalTIP.baPortal 072info+2Sep 2026AI-Generated Deepfake Videos of Luisito Comunica Used for Political Promotion in MexicoAllegedMisinformation and synthetic mediainfobaexataka.com.mxSep 2026Anthropic detects AI-generated political propaganda campaign in KenyaConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaStandard Digital News - Kenyabusinesstoday.co.keSep 2026Russian Deepfake Videos Target US Midterm ElectionsReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediaLe Monde.frSep 2026Anthropic disrupts AI platform used for Malaysian election manipulationUnder investigationMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe IndependentBianet - Bagimsiz Iletisim AgiThe Sun Malaysia+6Sep 2026Greek Journalist Mina Karampitrou Targeted by AI-Generated Deepfake ScamUnder investigationMisinformation and synthetic mediastar.grZappitSep 2026Former Sputnik Moldova editor used Claude to generate disinformation about President SanduConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaHotNews.roRadio Europa LiberăSep 2026Russia-Linked Influence Operation Used AI-Cloned Celebrity Voices in 2026 U.S. Midterm DisinformationConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic medianytimes.comSep 2026Zhang Xiaoquan AI scissor demo sparks false advertising allegations in ChinaAllegedMisinformation and synthetic media凤凰网（凤凰新媒体）wap.eastmoney.com香港經濟日報 hket.com+5Sep 2026Employee of Bosnia's Human Rights Ministry Posts AI-Generated Image Glorifying War CriminalUnder investigationMisinformation and synthetic mediaAvaz.baDEPO PortalRadio Sarajevo+5Sep 2026Greek actor targeted with AI-generated fake imagesReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediaAντενναNewsbeast.grSep 2026AI-generated death rumors target singer Runa LailaReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediaProthomaloDaily Times Of BangladeshSep 2026Deepfake Videos of Taiwanese Candidate Chen Su-yue Lead to Police ReportUnder investigationMisinformation and synthetic mediaYahoo News (Taiwan)tw.news.yahoo.comSep 2026Trump shares AI-generated image falsely depicting Robert De Niro as MAGA supporterReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe IndependentRadarOnlineSep 2026Youth uses AI-generated tiger image to cause village panicConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe Times of IndiaThe Siasat DailySep 2026AI-Generated Images Falsely Portray Greek Actress's Health CrisisWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediaAντενναMadata.GRMEGA TV+5Sep 2026AI-Generated Social Media Accounts Used in Political Defense in TaiwanWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediaLiberty Times NetYahoo News (Taiwan)mnews.tw+2Sep 2026AI-generated video depicting unhygienic food preparation spreads harmful stereotypes about IndiaReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe Times of IndiaTimesNowSep 2026Bombay High Court Orders Removal of AI Deepfakes Targeting Shruti HaasanConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe Times of IndiaIndian Television Dot ComDeccan Chronicle+5Sep 2026China crackdown on AI-generated harmful contentConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediachina.org.cn/china.com.cn(中国网)news.cnSep 2026AI-Generated Fake Fire Images Trigger False Emergency Response in MalaysiaConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic media星洲网 Sin Chew Daily Malaysia Latest News and Headlines中國報 China Press光华网+1Sep 2026AI-generated deepfake video of Bolsonaro used in Flávio Bolsonaro campaign launchUnder investigationMisinformation and synthetic mediaBBCTerraAug 2026Shalini Pandey Targeted by AI-Generated Deepfake VideoWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe Times of IndiaDaily News and Analysis (DNA) IndiaHindustan Times+5Aug 2026Trump Shares AI-Generated Video of False Attack on Iran's Kharg IslandReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediaLe Defi Media GroupLe Figaro.frAug 2026AI-generated video spreads false claims about Taitung agricultural productsConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaYahoo News (Taiwan)tw.news.yahoo.comAug 2026Chinese Bot Farm Campaign Targets US AI Policy Debate on XConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic medianews.ltn.com.twtw.news.yahoo.comAug 2026US Ambassador Posts AI-Generated Image Mocking Belgian Health MinisterConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaРБК-УкраинаУКРІНФОРМ凤凰网（凤凰新媒体）Aug 2026Nepal urges Meta and TikTok to remove AI-generated flood contentWell documentedMisinformation and synthetic mediaThe Express Tribuneinvestor.idberitasatu.com+2Aug 2026Meta dismantles Iranian AI-driven influence network targeting US citizensConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaAxiosNewsMaxΣΚΑΪ+1Aug 2026AI Misidentification of Argentine Activist Leads to Death ThreatsReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediaClarinTodo NoticiasAug 2026AI-generated videos sexualizing slavery posted to YouTube for profitReportedMisinformation and synthetic mediaBBCAug 2026OpenAI blocks Russian ChatGPT accounts in disinformation campaignConfirmedMisinformation and synthetic mediaCNBCБанкеръepicenter.bg+5
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