AI-Assisted Explosives: Michael Gann's Alarming Indictment
Michael Gann's indictment reveals the alarming use of AI in constructing homemade bombs intended for Manhattan.
Key Points
- • Michael Gann was indicted for allegedly building seven bombs with AI assistance.
- • He stored the explosives in Manhattan and planned to mix them with shotgun shells.
- • Gann made alarming posts on social media expressing violent intentions.
- • He admitted to using AI to learn about explosives and exceeded legal limits for consumer fireworks.
In a troubling development underscoring the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, federal prosecutors have indicted 55-year-old Michael Gann from Long Island for allegedly constructing homemade bombs with AI assistance intended for use in Manhattan. Gann reportedly built seven explosives, claiming that AI made the process of bomb creation easier than purchasing gunpowder. His actions culminated in the storage of several bombs on a rooftop in the SoHo district of New York City, where he planned to combine them with shotgun shells for detonation.
Gann’s alarming intentions were highlighted through his social media activity, particularly a post directed at President Donald Trump where he expressed violent sentiments towards the National Guard and alluded to bomb usage in response to protests. He was apprehended following a disturbing message on social media, asking ominously, "Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?" Law enforcement became involved after he had already lit one of the devices near the East River, which exploded and caused concern among witnesses, including a military veteran who described Gann’s behavior as troubling while he mixed the explosives.
Among the troubling details, Gann utilized two household compounds acquired online, boasting a dangerous accumulation of over 200 cardboard tubes and more than 50 feet of fuses. One of his devices reportedly contained approximately 30 grams of explosive powder, far exceeding the legal limit for consumer fireworks. Witnesses have testified to Gann making inappropriate comments, including threatening references directed towards a Jewish school, all of which underscore the seriousness of the situation.
On June 5, he was seen carrying a shoulder bag that he claimed contained the bombs, stating he was on his way to surrender them to the fire department. Post-arrest, Gann admitted to using AI to determine which chemicals to purchase and how to effectively mix them for his explosives. The implications of his indictment reveal significant risks posed by AI technology, particularly how it can be misused in crafting dangerous materials in urban environments, potentially threatening public safety and lives in densely populated areas.