AI-generated report nearly triggered US strike on Chinese ship in Middle East

An AI-generated intelligence report nearly triggered a US military strike against a Chinese ship in the Middle East last spring, according to CNN. The false report, circulated during the Iran war, alleged the vessel carried nuclear weapons components. The report prompted armed US personnel to prepare for a boarding operation and military jets to launch from regional bases. However, officials analyzed the report before final approval and discovered it was AI-generated, with a chatbot having misidentified the ship's cargo. The intelligence was deemed "completely false" but had risked igniting a war with China, sources said. The incident highlights the dangers of relying on artificial intelligence for critical military decisions.