Examples of AI Hallucinations
Last updated June 2026
Hallucinations are easier to understand with examples. Here are common patterns drawn from how models fail in the real world.
Fake legal citations
In well-documented incidents, lawyers have submitted AI-generated briefs citing court cases that never existed. The model produced realistic case names, numbers, and quotes — all fabricated. This is the canonical example of why you must verify every citation.
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Invented sources and studies
Ask a model for studies supporting a claim and it may produce authoritative-sounding references — authors, journals, years — that don't exist. The format is convincing; the content is fiction.
Wrong numbers and outdated facts
Models routinely state incorrect statistics, prices, and dates with full confidence, especially for fast-changing topics. Without a source, treat any number as unverified.