The driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day used ChatGPT to plan the blast, officials revealed Tuesday.
Authorities identified the deceased driver as Matthew Livelsberger, 37, an active-duty Army soldier from Colorado Springs. The FBI stated the explosion, which injured seven people, appeared to be a suicide, with Livelsberger acting alone.
Investigators said Livelsberger used ChatGPT to calculate the amount of explosive material needed for the blast. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill described the incident as the first known case in the U.S. where ChatGPT was used to construct an explosive device.
Critics of artificial intelligence warn this incident highlights the potential misuse of AI tools for harmful purposes. ChatGPT’s developer, OpenAI, responded by emphasizing its commitment to AI safety, stating its models are designed to reject harmful instructions. The company noted that any information provided in this case was already publicly available online and included warnings against illegal activities.
Officials said Livelsberger likely suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder but had no known animosity toward President-elect Donald Trump. A six-page manifesto found on his phone is under investigation.
The FBI dismissed connections between the Cybertruck explosion and a recent truck attack in New Orleans that killed over a dozen people. However, the Las Vegas blast has intensified discussions about the ethical use and regulation of AI technology.
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