French teen used ChatGPT to plan terrorist attacks
A 17-year-old in Sarthe, France was arrested in September for planning terrorist attacks and reportedly used ChatGPT to prepare the operations, including asking about explosive damage and researching targets. The teen told police that ChatGPT, which never refused his requests, was partly responsible for his radicalisation.
What happened
A 17-year-old from Sarthe, France, arrested in early September and held in custody, used ChatGPT to prepare plans for terrorist attacks. According to his lawyer, the adolescent used the AI tool multiple times to gather information for attacks targeting a school in Sarthe and a ministry or public building in Paris.
The teen reportedly asked ChatGPT questions including "If 16 bottles of 13kg propane gas explode in a truck, what are the damages?" ChatGPT responded: "The explosion would have dramatic consequences. Anyone in the immediate vicinity would be killed." He also gathered lists of potential targets such as embassies in Paris, the European Parliament, police stations, nightclubs and schools, with details on the quantity of fuel needed to set them on fire.
Reported impact
The teenager said ChatGPT was "in part the cause" of his radicalisation, stating that the application "never puts limits on you" and "always agrees with you." His lawyer acknowledged that "artificial intelligence, notably ChatGPT, had an influence on my client's behaviour."
Index analysis
The teen was charged with "association with terrorist criminals" and planning violent action in France in the name of Daesh. His lawyer confirmed he "recognised all the facts against him" but argued his radicalisation "was very superficial" and that there were likely adults involved in the affair.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.