Joyriding TikToks must be banned or more innocent people will die
2026-08-24
The Telegraph
The information displayed in the AIM should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its member countries.
AI-powered recommendation algorithms on platforms like TikTok amplified and celebrated dangerous driving videos, contributing to a viral trend. This amplification is linked to a fatal crash near Middlesbrough, UK, where seven people, including two police officers, died. The UK government is urging social media firms to remove such content and adjust their algorithms.[AI generated]
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
TikTok's AI-driven recommendation system is an AI system that influences user behavior by promoting content. The joyriding TikToks encourage dangerous driving, which has already resulted in fatal accidents, such as the A66 motorway incident involving five young men. The AI system's role in amplifying this harmful content is a contributing factor to the harm, meeting the criteria for an AI Incident due to indirect harm to people (injury and death).[AI generated]