The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has released logs from ChatGPT, a generative AI tool, used by the suspect in the New Year's Day Cybertruck explosion that occurred in front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. The logs reveal a series of disturbing queries made by the suspect, Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty soldier in the US Army, in the days leading up to the incident.

According to the police, Livelsberger's ChatGPT queries included requests for information about explosives, how to detonate them, and how to detonate them with a gunshot. He also inquired about where to buy guns, explosive material, and fireworks legally along his route. The police released several slides showing these queries, which have raised concerns about the role of generative AI in the incident.

In response to the queries, OpenAI spokesperson Liz Bourgeois stated that the company is "saddened by this incident and committed to seeing AI tools used responsibly." Bourgeois emphasized that ChatGPT responded with information already publicly available on the internet and provided warnings against harmful or illegal activities. OpenAI is working with law enforcement to support their investigation.

The police investigation is ongoing, with officials still examining possible sources for the explosion. While they haven't ruled out other possibilities like an electrical short, the available evidence suggests that the muzzle flash of a gunshot may have ignited fuel vapor/fireworks fuses inside the truck, leading to a larger explosion of fireworks and other explosive materials.

The incident has sparked questions about AI chatbot guardrails, safety, and privacy. The fact that Livelsberger's queries were able to retrieve information about explosives and ignition methods has raised concerns about the accessibility of harmful information through AI tools. Furthermore, the police's ability to track and present these queries as evidence has brought the issue of AI accountability to the forefront.

Notably, trying the same queries in ChatGPT today still yields results, although the information requested doesn't appear to be restricted and could be obtained through most search methods. This has led to calls for greater scrutiny of AI tools and their potential to facilitate harmful activities.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for responsible AI development and deployment. As AI tools become increasingly pervasive, it is essential to ensure that they are designed with safety and accountability in mind. The Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion has brought the issue of AI accountability into sharp focus, and it remains to be seen how the tech industry will respond to these concerns.