A man responsible for an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas used AI text generators like ChatGPT for preparation. The local police discovered this and made it public, according to the Associated Press. The man used these tools to search for information about explosions, the velocity of certain ammunition, and the legal status of fireworks in Arizona, as reported by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s sheriff. The use of AI was described as “groundbreaking” and other police departments are being informed about it.
This incident marks the first known use of ChatGPT in the U.S. to assist an individual in building a specific device, according to the sheriff. The situation is considered “concerning.” It was also revealed that the man loaded nearly 60 kilograms of pyrotechnics and ammunition onto the Cybertruck. The exact cause of the explosion is unclear, but it might have been triggered by a shot that ignited the materials, leading to the man’s death. A document he left behind stated he intended to harm no one. He held no grievances against Donald Trump or Elon Musk, in fact, he advocated for supporting both.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, assured AP that they are committed to ensuring their tools are used “responsibly.” The tools are designed to reject harmful instructions. In this case, the text generator only provided information available publicly on the internet and warned against harmful or illegal activities. OpenAI confirmed they are cooperating with law enforcement to support their investigations.
The investigation focuses on the Tesla Cybertruck incident, which occurred a week ago outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, resulting in an explosion. The man responsible for the incident took his own life and was burned beyond recognition in the vehicle. Despite the attention the case received in the U.S. and internationally, the FBI described it as a tragic suicide of a decorated war veteran struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues. The man was a member of the U.S. Special Forces, the Green Berets.
For those in Germany, help and support for various issues, including bullying and suicide, can be found at telefonseelsorge.de or by calling 0800 1110111. The “Nummer gegen Kummer” (Child and Youth Telephone) is available at 116 111. In Austria, free support is available, including the children’s emergency line at 0800 567 567 and Rat auf Draht at 147. In Switzerland, the same number connects to Pro Juventute.