Soldier Who Detonated Tesla Cybertruck Near Trump Hotel Allegedly Used Generative AI for Attack Planning | US News
A soldier detonated a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas, utilizing generative AI, including ChatGPT, to assist in orchestrating the attack, according to police reports.
Matthew Livelsberger, 37, a US Army Green Beret, fatally shot himself moments prior to the explosion that occurred outside the hotel on New Year’s Day.
Las Vegas police announced they have examined Livelsberger’s ChatGPT inquiries leading up to the incident.
Officers indicated that the searches revealed he sought information about explosive targets, the velocity of specific ammunition types, and the legality of fireworks in Arizona.
Matthew Alan Livelsberger
Kevin McMahill, sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, described Livelsberger’s use of generative AI in preparing for the attack as a “game changer”.
“This is the first case I know of on US soil where ChatGPT was employed to assist an individual in constructing a particular device,” he remarked.
“This is a troubling development.”
Last week, officials reported that Livelsberger had left writings in which he referred to the explosion as a stunt intended to serve as a “wake-up call” for a nation that he deemed “terminally ill and on the path toward collapse”.
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The notes addressed various political grievances, societal challenges, and issues pertaining to both domestic and international matters, including the conflict in Ukraine.
However, officials clarified that Livelsberger bore no resentment towards president-elect Donald Trump and mentioned in one of his notes that the country ought to “rally around” him and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
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What was inside exploded Cybertruck?
He also recorded notes on his mobile device expressing a need to “cleanse” his mind “of the brothers I’ve lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took”.
The Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. File pic: Reuters
The FBI indicated that Livelsberger, who had served in the army since 2006 and had two deployments to Afghanistan, likely suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and that there could be “potential family issues or personal grievances” contributing to his actions.
Authorities confirmed that Livelsberger, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, acted independently and that the event appeared to be a “tragic case of suicide”.
The explosion resulted in minor injuries to seven individuals but caused almost no damage to the Trump International Hotel.
For anyone experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to Samaritans for support at 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, contact the local Samaritans branch or call 1 (800) 273-TALK.
