US authorities recently announced the arrest of Florida-based man Jonathan Rinderknecht , 29, whom they suspect intentionally started the Palisades fire on New Year's Day that burned across Los Angeles' west side this year. The Department of Justice has charged Rinderknecht with “maliciously” starting the blaze. Federal prosecutors claimed that Rinderknecht, who is also an Uber driver , used ChatGPT both before and after allegedly setting the fire. According to authorities, Rinderknecht conducted several searches on the AI platform that they deemed incriminating. Additionally, prosecutors asserted that he used ChatGPT to conjure an image of a city engulfed in flames.
What US authorities said about Rinderknecht using ChatGPT
According to a report by The San Francisco Standard, prosecutors noted that in one search after the fire had started, Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT: “Are you at fault if a fire is lift [sic] because of your cigarettes?”
In a statement announcing the arrest, US Attorney Bill Essayli said: “While we cannot undo the damage and destruction that was done, we hope his arrest and the charges against him bring some measure of justice to the victims of this horrific tragedy.”
The initial fire, allegedly lit by Rinderknecht, appeared to have been extinguished but smouldered under vegetation and reignited later on. The fire resulted in 12 deaths and burned 6,000 buildings.
The Los Angeles area was simultaneously affected by the Eaton fire, which killed 19 people and destroyed 9,400 structures. The complaint includes other digital evidence that allegedly incriminates Rinderknecht.
According to the affidavit, he had been watching the video to a French song called "Un Zder, Un The" by Josman, in which the musician sets things on fire. In July, Rinderknecht also entered a prompt into ChatGPT to generate the image of a burning city, as per the affidavit.
This is the prompt that Rinderknecht gave to ChatGPT: “A dystopian painting divided in to distinct parts that blend together seamlessly. On the far left, there is a burning forest. Next to it, a crowd of people is running away from the fire, leading to the middle. In the middle, hundreds of thousands of people in poverty are trying to get past a gigantic gate with a big dollar sign on it. On the other side of the gate and the entire wall is a conglomerate of the richest people. They are chilling, watching the world burn down, and watching the people struggle. They are laughing, enjoying themselves, and dancing. The scene is detailed and impactful, highlighting the stark contrast and the direct connection between the different parts of the world.”
What US authorities said about Rinderknecht using ChatGPT
According to a report by The San Francisco Standard, prosecutors noted that in one search after the fire had started, Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT: “Are you at fault if a fire is lift [sic] because of your cigarettes?”
In a statement announcing the arrest, US Attorney Bill Essayli said: “While we cannot undo the damage and destruction that was done, we hope his arrest and the charges against him bring some measure of justice to the victims of this horrific tragedy.”
The initial fire, allegedly lit by Rinderknecht, appeared to have been extinguished but smouldered under vegetation and reignited later on. The fire resulted in 12 deaths and burned 6,000 buildings.
The Los Angeles area was simultaneously affected by the Eaton fire, which killed 19 people and destroyed 9,400 structures. The complaint includes other digital evidence that allegedly incriminates Rinderknecht.
According to the affidavit, he had been watching the video to a French song called "Un Zder, Un The" by Josman, in which the musician sets things on fire. In July, Rinderknecht also entered a prompt into ChatGPT to generate the image of a burning city, as per the affidavit.
This is the prompt that Rinderknecht gave to ChatGPT: “A dystopian painting divided in to distinct parts that blend together seamlessly. On the far left, there is a burning forest. Next to it, a crowd of people is running away from the fire, leading to the middle. In the middle, hundreds of thousands of people in poverty are trying to get past a gigantic gate with a big dollar sign on it. On the other side of the gate and the entire wall is a conglomerate of the richest people. They are chilling, watching the world burn down, and watching the people struggle. They are laughing, enjoying themselves, and dancing. The scene is detailed and impactful, highlighting the stark contrast and the direct connection between the different parts of the world.”
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