Italian Teacher Blames AI For Shocking Online Threat
Teacher Blames AI for Threat Against PMs Daughter
An Italian teacher, responsible for a social media post advocating for the murder of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s eight-year-old daughter, has attributed the post's creation to the AI chatbot ChatGPT.
Stefano Addeo, a 65-year-old German teacher from near Naples, sparked widespread outrage over the weekend. He posted on social media expressing a wish for Meloni's daughter, Ginevra, to suffer a fate similar to that of a 14-year-old girl recently allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend.
The inflammatory post drew condemnation from all political sides, with both opposition figures and members of the governing coalition deeming it unacceptable. Authorities have now launched an investigation into Addeo for inciting hatred.
The 'ChatGPT Defense' and Public Outcry
On Monday, Mr. Addeo attempted to rationalize his actions, claiming the message was generated by the artificial intelligence chatbot, though he admitted it was at his prompting.
Speaking to La Repubblica newspaper, he stated, 'It wasn’t me, it was artificial intelligence. I saw on television on Friday that the government was not distancing itself from the war in Israel. I asked ChatGPT to create a message critical of Meloni. This crazy thing emerged and I posted it.'
Stefano Addeo said ChatGPT 'is more harmful than you think' but could not excuse his message.
When questioned about his failure to consider the post's severity, Addeo replied, 'I just wanted to post something. ChatGPT is more harmful than you think. I’m a Catholic, I’m in favour of animal rights, I’m a vegetarian.'
'I’m on the Left but that does not excuse this type of message,' he continued. 'I’ve had to cancel all my social media platforms, the consequences have been really ugly. I’ve had to shut myself away at home.'
'People are throwing tomatoes at my front door. I have been depicted as a monster. I’m really shocked – people are issuing threats against me. I did a really stupid thing.' Addeo also mentioned being verbally abused in public due to his comment.
Pattern of Threats and Political Condemnation
The teacher, who is childless and resides with his 90-year-old mother, expressed a desire to apologize to the prime minister if given the chance. 'I would hug her, asking her forgiveness. I wish only the best for her daughter, although I would advise her to be careful about social media,' he added.
However, reports have surfaced indicating Addeo has previously posted threatening messages targeting the children of other Right-wing coalition members, including Matteo Salvini, the transport minister and leader of the League party, and Antonio Tajani, the foreign minister and a former European commissioner.
Mr. Salvini responded, 'This is intolerable – you can attack me, but not my daughter.'
Disturbing Parallels and Broader Political Climate
Addeo’s social media post alluded to the tragic case of Martina Carbonaro, a 14-year-old schoolgirl allegedly beaten to death with a rock by her 18-year-old former boyfriend just days prior. Reports indicate the ex-boyfriend was allegedly enraged by her decision to end their relationship. Following the attack, he is accused of trying to conceal her body under rubbish and debris in an abandoned farmhouse near Afragola, north of Naples.
Prime Minister Meloni, currently midway through her five-year term, condemned what she described as a 'sick climate' within Italian political discourse. She asserted that the threats against her and her daughter signify 'a spiral of hatred fed by an ideological fanaticism that has exceeded every limit. No political differences or ideological cause can ever justify attacks on children.'
Matteo Renzi, leader of a centre-Left party and a former prime minister, stated that the teacher should be dismissed from his position.
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