Bank robber who used ChatGPT for planning gets over 10 years in prison

A bank robber who turned to ChatGPT for planning his heist has been sentenced to more than ten years in prison. The 23-year-old's misguided reliance on the AI chatbot for criminal advice ultimately contributed to his downfall.

According to authorities, the man consulted ChatGPT on crucial aspects of his planned robbery. He inquired about how quickly police might arrive at the scene and even sought guidance on repairing his firearm. Despite this digital assistance, his execution of the crime was far from flawless.

During the robbery, bank security cameras captured his unmasked face as he threatened employees and escaped with $9,175 (approximately 7,855 euros). His vehicle, complete with license plates, was subsequently recorded by neighborhood security cameras. Further surveillance footage showed him shopping with the stolen cash in a mall.

His attempt to evade capture was equally clumsy. When he spotted police near his home, he fled and dropped a bundle of money. Although he initially denied involvement, investigators gained access to his phone, uncovering the incriminating conversations with ChatGPT. The court imposed 37 months for the robbery and an additional 84 months for threatening with a weapon.