Police say US soldier used AI to orchestrate Tesla Cybertruck explosion
Authorities have described ChatGPT's role in the New Year's Day attack as a "game-changer." Read the full article on RT.com.
TroibNews 
The use of ChatGPT in the Las Vegas incident on New Year’s Day is a “game-changer,” authorities have stated.
The highly decorated US Army Green Beret believed to have orchestrated an explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1 had employed generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, in the planning of the attack, according to Las Vegas police.
During a Tuesday news conference, law enforcement officials shared new insights regarding the explosion. An examination of queries made by 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger on ChatGPT indicated that he sought information about potential targets, the velocity of certain types of ammunition, and the legality of fireworks.
On January 1, 2025, a Tesla Cybertruck loaded with fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel detonated outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Livelsberger, who was driving the vehicle, was found dead inside. The blast resulted in minor injuries to seven bystanders and caused negligible damage to the hotel.
“This is the first incident that I’m aware of on US soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device,” said Kevin McMahill, the sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, during a press conference on Tuesday.
He described the use of generative AI as a “game-changer” and “a concerning moment.”
ChatGPT's developer OpenAI stated that it is dedicated to ensuring its tools are used “responsibly” and designed to refuse harmful instructions, according to the San Francisco-based company in an emailed statement to the Associated Press.
Launched in 2022, ChatGPT is one of several technologies created by OpenAI. Unlike earlier large language models, this virtual assistant is readily accessible to anyone with an internet connection and is intended to be more intuitive and user-friendly.
Reports indicate that Livelsberger took his own life with a gunshot before setting off the explosion. Investigators remain uncertain about the exact cause of the blast, though they suggested that it may have been triggered by the flash from the firearm he used to fatally shoot himself inside the truck.
Las Vegas police released Livelsberger’s letters on Friday, which revealed his deep frustrations with societal issues and personal struggles. Officials noted that he had been confronting post-traumatic stress disorder and experiencing significant upheaval in his life, including a recent separation from his wife.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
The highly decorated US Army Green Beret believed to have orchestrated an explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1 had employed generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, in the planning of the attack, according to Las Vegas police.
During a Tuesday news conference, law enforcement officials shared new insights regarding the explosion. An examination of queries made by 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger on ChatGPT indicated that he sought information about potential targets, the velocity of certain types of ammunition, and the legality of fireworks.
On January 1, 2025, a Tesla Cybertruck loaded with fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel detonated outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Livelsberger, who was driving the vehicle, was found dead inside. The blast resulted in minor injuries to seven bystanders and caused negligible damage to the hotel.
“This is the first incident that I’m aware of on US soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device,” said Kevin McMahill, the sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, during a press conference on Tuesday.
He described the use of generative AI as a “game-changer” and “a concerning moment.”
ChatGPT's developer OpenAI stated that it is dedicated to ensuring its tools are used “responsibly” and designed to refuse harmful instructions, according to the San Francisco-based company in an emailed statement to the Associated Press.
Launched in 2022, ChatGPT is one of several technologies created by OpenAI. Unlike earlier large language models, this virtual assistant is readily accessible to anyone with an internet connection and is intended to be more intuitive and user-friendly.
Reports indicate that Livelsberger took his own life with a gunshot before setting off the explosion. Investigators remain uncertain about the exact cause of the blast, though they suggested that it may have been triggered by the flash from the firearm he used to fatally shoot himself inside the truck.
Las Vegas police released Livelsberger’s letters on Friday, which revealed his deep frustrations with societal issues and personal struggles. Officials noted that he had been confronting post-traumatic stress disorder and experiencing significant upheaval in his life, including a recent separation from his wife.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
