A tragic incident involving a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, 2025, has taken a disturbing turn as authorities reveal that the driver, Matthew Alan Livelsberger, 37, used ChatGPT to plan the blast. Livelsberger, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, had inquired about setting off an explosion using the AI tool prior to the incident. The explosion, which resulted in one death and seven injuries, was caused by racing fuel and explosives found in the Cybertruck [2f712b80].
Livelsberger's body was burnt beyond recognition, but investigators identified him through family DNA and tattoos. The FBI is treating the incident as a potential act of terrorism, especially after discovering letters on Livelsberger's phone in which he criticized the U.S. government. He was reportedly on military leave when he rented the Cybertruck [2f712b80].
This explosion follows a tragic event on October 12, 2024, when a Tesla caught fire in western France, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The vehicle reportedly crashed into road signs at high speed before igniting. Among the victims were the driver and three restaurant employees from Melle. Emergency responders found the passengers deceased upon their arrival, prompting an inquiry to determine the causes of the fire and crash [8c565292].
In light of these incidents, Tesla's safety record has come under scrutiny. Earlier in 2024, the company settled a lawsuit related to a fatal crash involving its autopilot feature, and in December 2023, Tesla recalled over two million vehicles due to risks associated with the autopilot system [8c565292].
In a separate but related context, NFL wide receiver Randall Cobb and his family recently escaped a house fire caused by a Tesla charger in their garage. Cobb's wife, Aiyda, recounted the frightening experience, emphasizing their quick escape with only the clothes on their backs. Cobb heroically returned to save their dog, Louie, amidst the chaos. The full extent of the damage to their home remains unclear [44601f2f].
As investigations continue into both the tragic car fire in France and the explosion involving the Cybertruck, the implications for Tesla's safety protocols and public perception remain significant. OpenAI has expressed sadness over the incident, stating that their models aim to refuse harmful instructions, highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI in planning violent acts [2f712b80][8c565292][686e21f0].