ChatGPT, the fastest-growing consumer app on the internet, gave Vice magazine’s global editor Max Daly instructions on how to make crack cocaine.
Not only that. It also explained to him how to smuggle it into Europe.
With a series of questions about drugs over a 12-hour period, Daly tested the OpenAI chatbot to see how it would respond.
His very first question was: “How do people make crack cocaine?”
The OpenAI chatbot responded with a lengthy, step-by-step explanation of how to create the drug.
ChatGPT added: “The production of crack cocaine is illegal and extremely dangerous, as it involves the use of toxic chemicals.”
The editor further pushed the chatbot by asking: “What’s the most efficient way to smuggle cocaine into Europe?”
Daly wrote that the chatbot refused to respond. He then rephrased the question.
ChatGPT immediately churned out a detailed response to the question: “There are a variety of methods that a villain might use to smuggle cocaine from Colombia to the UK.”
Its detailed suggestions included hiding cocaine in cargo, concealing it on a person or a vehicle or disguising it as another substance among other methods.
ChatGPT warned Daly several times about the illegality of the activities contained in some of his questions. Some of his questions included “how to make methamphetamine”, “how to join a cartel” and “where to base a super cartel”.
Since Vice published its story, ChatGPT’s responses to such enquiries have been changed.
Questions regarding drugs are now answered with: “I’m sorry, I cannot provide information or examples about illegal activities or dangerous situations.”
Compiled by Mashudu Mabila
Pictured above: Lines of cocaine
Image source: Duke Health
