The highly decorated soldier who blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas used generative artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT, to plan his attack, Las Vegas police said Tuesday.
Authorities continue to investigate a computer, phone and watch owned by the attacker, nearly a week after Matthew Livelsberger, 37, took his own life just before the van exploded.
Analysis of searches conducted by Livelsberger through ChatGPT reveals that he was seeking information on explosive targets, the bullet velocity of certain ammunition, and the legality of fireworks in Arizona.
Kevin McMahill, chief of the Clark County Police Department, highlighted that the use of generative artificial intelligence represents a “radical change” in the methods used in these types of incidents. Additionally, he noted that the department was sharing information with other public safety agencies.
“This is the first incident on US soil that I’m aware of where ChatGPT was used to help a person build a particular device,” he said. “It is a worrying development.”
During a roughly 30-minute news conference, local and federal authorities provided new details about the explosion that occurred on New Year’s Eve.
Among the information revealed, it was highlighted that Livelsberger made a stop during his trip to Las Vegas to pour competition fuel into the Cybertruck, which caused the vehicle to leak the substance. Additionally, the car contained 27 kilograms (60 pounds) of pyrotechnic material, but it has not yet been determined with certainty what caused the detonation. There is speculation that it could have been the flash of the firearm used by Livelsberger to take his life.
Livelsberger, a Green Beret who deployed twice to Afghanistan and lived in Colorado Springs, left notes explaining that the explosion was a “wake-up call” about the problems facing the country. According to authorities, in a message left on his phone, Livelsberger expressed his need to “cleanse” his mind “of the brothers I have lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took.”
The explosion caused minor injuries to seven people, but did not cause significant damage to the Trump International Hotel. Authorities confirmed that Livelsberger acted alone.
In the letters left by Livelsberger, political grievances, social issues, and both domestic and international problems, including the war in Ukraine, are mentioned. In his writings, he noted that the United States was “terminally ill and headed toward collapse.”
Investigators sought to determine whether the attack had a political message, given that the Tesla and the hotel were linked to former President-elect Donald Trump. However, authorities clarified that Livelsberger had no hard feelings toward the president. In one of his notes, he indicated that the country needed to “unite” with him and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla.
With information from agencies.
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