A U.S. military intelligence report incorrectly claimed that a Chinese ship in the Middle East was carrying components for a nuclear weapons program, prompting plans to intercept the vessel.

Officials later discovered that the report had been generated with help from an AI chatbot, which had inaccurately identified the ship’s cargo.

The incident reportedly came close to triggering a military operation that could have escalated tensions between the United States and China.

The episode highlights concerns about relying on AI for intelligence and targeting decisions, particularly when inaccurate information could lead to serious military consequences, CNN has reported.

Despite the risks, U.S. military and intelligence agencies are rapidly expanding their use of AI to analyze intelligence, identify targets, and manage logistics.