Microsoft Copilot AI error sparks political and policing backlash in UK–reports

By TechWatch PH Staff

A major controversy over artificial intelligence has erupted in the U.K. after West Midlands Police acknowledged that false information generated by Microsoft Copilot was included in police intelligence used ahead of a high-profile football match.

In November 2025, authorities classified a UEFA Europa League fixture between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv as a high-risk match, a designation that led to restrictions on travelling supporters.

The intelligence material referenced a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and West Ham United that never took place. The error was later traced to inaccurate information generated by Copilot, which was incorporated into briefing documents without being independently verified.

More than 700 police officers were deployed around the match, and protests were held outside the stadium in response to the restrictions, according to BBC reports.

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford initially told UK lawmakers that artificial intelligence had not been used in preparing the intelligence, attributing the mistake to a Google search.

He later corrected his account in a letter to the Home Affairs Committee, confirming that the incorrect information originated from Microsoft Copilot and apologizing for providing inaccurate evidence to Parliament.

The incident has triggered political fallout and intensified scrutiny of how law enforcement agencies assess and verify intelligence, particularly when using emerging technologies.

For Microsoft, the episode underscores a recognized limitation of generative AI systems: the potential to produce convincing but incorrect information if outputs are not carefully checked. 

The company advises users to review and verify sources behind AI-generated responses, reinforcing the need for human oversight in high-stakes settings such as public safety and policing.