A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day, and police say the perpetrator, 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, used generative AI, including ChatGPT, to help plan the attack.¹ Livelsberger, an Army Green Beret, fatally shot himself after the explosion, which caused minor injuries to seven people.
According to investigators, Livelsberger used ChatGPT to gather information on explosive targets, ammunition speeds, and fireworks laws in Arizona. The AI tool provided him with publicly available information and even warned him against harmful or illegal activities.
Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill called the use of generative AI in this incident a "game-changer" and expressed concerns about the potential risks of AI-powered tools. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, emphasized its commitment to responsible AI development and stated that the tool is designed to refuse harmful instructions.
