Sydney man suspected of discussing a childcare center mass shooting plan with an AI chatbot

Sydney man David Lan Thackray, suspected of threatening a mass shooting at a childcare center in a conversation with AI chatbot Claude, was arrested and remanded in custody on Monday awaiting a mental health assessment. Police facts state that he told Claude he would rush into a local childcare center and shoot, and in the conversation mentioned Naveed Akram, who is accused of carrying out an attack at Bondi Beach. The case was triggered after Interpol flagged his interactions with the chatbot, and he was charged with using a communication service to threaten, harass or offend. Prosecutors argued that if he were released and breached his bail conditions, the consequences would be catastrophic. His defense lawyer said he was using Claude at the time due to an ear infection and lost control of his emotions, that the remarks had no actual intent, and that his account has been suspended.