By Reuters
The suspected driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day reportedly used the popular chatbot ChatGPT to help plan the blast, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
According to authorities, the suspect used ChatGPT to estimate the amount of explosives required for the explosion.
Last week, officials identified the person found dead inside the Cybertruck as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty Army soldier from Colorado Springs, who reportedly acted alone. The FBI stated that the incident appeared to be a case of suicide.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced on Tuesday that this incident marks the first known case in the U.S. where ChatGPT was used to assist in constructing an explosive device. Critics of artificial intelligence have long warned about the potential for such technology to be misused, and the Las Vegas attack may reinforce those concerns.
“Of particular note, we also have clear evidence now that the suspect used ChatGPT artificial intelligence to help plan his attack,” said Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department during a press conference. “This is the first incident that I am aware of on U.S. soil where ChatGPT was used to help an individual build a particular device.”
ChatGPT’s developer, OpenAI, responded by affirming its commitment to ensuring AI tools are used responsibly. The company clarified that its models are designed to refuse harmful instructions.
“In this case, ChatGPT provided publicly available information on the internet and issued warnings against harmful or illegal activities,” OpenAI stated in a response, as cited by Axios.
The FBI clarified that no direct connection had been established between the Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion and a truck attack in New Orleans, which resulted in over a dozen fatalities. They also noted that Livelsberger harbored no animosity toward U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and likely suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Authorities are investigating a six-page manifesto found on Livelsberger’s phone.
