Man trapped in mountains after trusting AI for shortcuts, AI later apologizes for misleading him

A 57-year-old man from Hunan, working in Ningbo, became stranded in the mountains after following AI advice to take a shortcut. The incident, reported by Zhejiang Fire Department on August 31, 2026, occurred on August 30 when the man, known as Yang, decided to take an unfamiliar path down a mountain after climbing. He initially followed a stream but found the trail increasingly difficult. He then consulted an AI app, which incorrectly advised him to climb higher ground instead of following the stream. Yang followed the AI’s suggestion, leading him into dense, steep, and slippery terrain. After exhausting himself and losing his sense of direction, he called for help. Firefighters located him after re-evaluating his location and rescuing him safely. Post-rescue, Yang messaged the AI again, saying he should have just followed the navigation, to which the AI responded with a humorous 'ha ha, indeed!' and admitted that following the standard route would have prevented his ordeal.