Recent events in the United States have sparked a climate of unease and uncertainty, including the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, the horrifying incident of a person getting set on fire in the New York Subway Station and the ongoing investigations of the New Orleans attacker. The nation has been scrambling to pull itself back together. Along with these tragic occurrences, a unique and concerning incident that took place in Las Vegas has captured the attention of authorities and the public alike.
On Jan. 1, 2025, a planned attack involving contents inside a Cybertruck car exploding outside the Trump Hotel took place. While investigating the crime, local Las Vegas police found a piece of information that changed the world of Artificial Intelligence. 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, a Special Operations soldier who was on leave from his base in Germany was found to have used ChatGPT whilst planning his attack. During a report, Sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Kevin McMahill said, “This is the first incident that I’m aware of on U.S. soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device. It’s a concerning moment.”
An investigation of Livelsberger’s searches on ChatGPT revealed that he was looking for information on explosives, the speed at which certain rounds of ammunition would travel, and the legality of fireworks in the state of Arizona. This is the first attack on U.S. soil where generative AI was used—to help build an explosive device—that police are aware of.
The choice of a Cybertruck as the vehicle involved in the explosion has drawn attention. It is widely known that Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, is a proud supporter of President Trump, some would even argue the biggest. Since the election, he has been promoting Trump on X—previously named Twitter—and attending his rallies to give speeches. While the exact motivations of the attack remain unclear, some observers have speculated about the symbolism of using a Tesla vehicle in this context.
As the investigation continues, many people ponder the misuse of generative AI and whether it’s actually benefiting society or if it’s hurting. Law enforcement agencies are facing the pressure to regulate AI usage so similar events like these won’t happen in the future. Companies are also filtering AI, so they can’t answer certain questions that violate restrictions. The Las Vegas explosion serves as a sheer reminder of the challenges that new and emerging technologies will bring to the modern era.
