Skip to Content
logologo
AI Incident Database
Open TwitterOpen RSS FeedOpen FacebookOpen LinkedInOpen GitHub
Open Menu
Discover
Submit
  • Welcome to the AIID
  • Discover Incidents
  • Spatial View
  • Table View
  • List view
  • Entities
  • Taxonomies
  • Submit Incident Reports
  • Submission Leaderboard
  • Blog
  • AI News Digest
  • Risk Checklists
  • Random Incident
  • Sign Up
Collapse
Discover
Submit
  • Welcome to the AIID
  • Discover Incidents
  • Spatial View
  • Table View
  • List view
  • Entities
  • Taxonomies
  • Submit Incident Reports
  • Submission Leaderboard
  • Blog
  • AI News Digest
  • Risk Checklists
  • Random Incident
  • Sign Up
Collapse

Incident 1160: Reported AI-Aided Development of Explosive Devices by Long Island Resident Michael Gann

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.

Tools

New ReportNew ReportNew ResponseNew ResponseDiscoverDiscoverView HistoryView History

Entities

View all entities
Alleged: 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

Incident OccurrenceHelped by AI, man built bombs he planned to detonate in Manhattan, officials say
Helped by AI, man built bombs he planned to detonate in Manhattan, officials say

Helped by AI, man built bombs he planned to detonate in Manhattan, officials say

nbcnews.com

Helped by AI, man built bombs he planned to detonate in Manhattan, officials say
nbcnews.com · 2025

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.
Seen something similar?

Similar Incidents

By textual similarity

Did our AI mess up? Flag the unrelated incidents

Detroit Police Wrongfully Arrested Black Man Due To Faulty FRT

Detroit Police Wrongfully Arrested Black Man Due To Faulty FRT

Jan 2020 · 11 reports
New Jersey Police Wrongful Arrested Innocent Black Man via FRT

New Jersey Police Wrongful Arrested Innocent Black Man via FRT

Jan 2019 · 4 reports
Security Robot Rolls Over Child in Mall

Security Robot Rolls Over Child in Mall

Jul 2016 · 27 reports
Previous IncidentNext Incident

Similar Incidents

By textual similarity

Did our AI mess up? Flag the unrelated incidents

Detroit Police Wrongfully Arrested Black Man Due To Faulty FRT

Detroit Police Wrongfully Arrested Black Man Due To Faulty FRT

Jan 2020 · 11 reports
New Jersey Police Wrongful Arrested Innocent Black Man via FRT

New Jersey Police Wrongful Arrested Innocent Black Man via FRT

Jan 2019 · 4 reports
Security Robot Rolls Over Child in Mall

Security Robot Rolls Over Child in Mall

Jul 2016 · 27 reports

Research

  • Defining an “AI Incident”
  • Defining an “AI Incident Response”
  • Database Roadmap
  • Related Work
  • Download Complete Database

Project and Community

  • About
  • Contact and Follow
  • Apps and Summaries
  • Editor’s Guide

Incidents

  • All Incidents in List Form
  • Flagged Incidents
  • Submission Queue
  • Classifications View
  • Taxonomies

2024 - AI Incident Database

  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Open twitterOpen githubOpen rssOpen facebookOpen linkedin
  • a9df9cf