Description: Federal prosecutors allege that Michael Gann, a 55-year-old Long Island man, used AI tools to identify chemicals and instructions for making improvised explosive devices. He allegedly built seven bombs, transported them to Manhattan, and stored five with shotgun shells on a rooftop. Authorities say he tested and discarded some devices in public areas before his June 5, 2025 arrest. Gann faces federal charges; no injuries were reported.
Editor Notes: Reconstructing the reported timeline of events: (1) in late March 2025, Michael Gann allegedly posted online suggesting the use of explosives in New York City; (2) in the following weeks, he reportedly used AI tools to research chemical components and built improvised explosive devices; (3) he allegedly tested and discarded some devices in public locations and stored others on a Manhattan rooftop; (4) on June 5, 2025, he was reportedly stopped by law enforcement while carrying explosives; (5) on July 23, 2025, he was indicted on federal charges.
Entities
View all entitiesAlleged: Unknown generative AI developer developed an AI system deployed by Michael Gann, which harmed General public of New York City.
Alleged implicated AI system: Unknown generative AI tool
Incident Stats
Incident ID
1160
Report Count
1
Incident Date
2025-06-05
Editors
Daniel Atherton
Incident Reports
Reports Timeline
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Federal prosecutors indicted a 55-year-old Long Island, New York, man Tuesday, alleging he built seven homemade bombs with the help of artificial intelligence, a process he called "easier than buying gun powder," according to court document…
Variants
A "variant" is an AI incident similar to a known case—it has the same causes, harms, and AI system. Instead of listing it separately, we group it under the first reported incident. Unlike other incidents, variants do not need to have been reported outside the AIID. Learn more from the research paper.
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