Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
California Crosswalk Buttons Hacked with AI-Generated Voices of Musk and Zuckerberg
Pedestrian crosswalk buttons in multiple cities across California were reportedly compromised this weekend, broadcasting altered audio messages mimicking the voices of tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. The altered audio, seemingly generated by artificial intelligence, replaced standard safety instructions, with recordings of a Musk impersonator soliciting friendship and a Zuckerberg soundalike boasting about “undermining democracy.”
Affected Locations and City Responses
Palo Alto
In Palo Alto, city officials confirmed the issue, stating that approximately twelve intersections in the downtown area were affected. A city spokesperson, speaking to Palo Alto Online, indicated that the voice features of the crosswalk signals have been temporarily deactivated while repairs are undertaken. Standard signal functions remain operational. Authorities believe the manipulation commenced on Friday.
Redwood City and Menlo Park
Redwood City is also experiencing similar incidents. A deputy city manager told The San Francisco Chronicle that the city is currently investigating the matter and working to resolve the audio disruption. Reports also indicate that crosswalk buttons in Menlo Park have been impacted by the apparent hack.
Impact on Pedestrian Safety
The standard function of these audio features is to aid visually impaired pedestrians, providing verbal cues indicating when to “wait” and when the pedestrian signal is active. The extent to which the simulated voices impede these vital safety announcements is currently unclear. Preliminary observations from online videos suggest that the altered audio appears to play in conjunction with, rather than replacing, the original safety messages, at least in some instances.
Examples of AI-Generated Audio Content
Elon Musk Simulated Voice Messages:
- “
Hi, this is Elon Musk, and I’d like to personally welcome you to Palo Alto. You know, people keep saying, ‘cancer is bad,’ but have you ever tried being a cancer? It’s something else.
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“
- “
Hi, this is Elon Musk. Welcome to Palo Alto, the hub of Tesla innovation. They say money can’t secure joy, and while that might hold some truth personally, it can certainly purchase a Cybertruck, which is pretty cool, wouldn’t you agree? Am I right? I feel so isolated.
“
- “
Hi, I’m Elon. Could we be companions? Please be my friend. I’ll give you a Cybertruck, I guarantee it. Honestly, you don’t comprehend the depths I’d sink to for just a tiny bit of validation.
“
Donald Trump Soundalike Cameo
One altered message included an additional voice, impersonating former President Donald Trump, seemingly referencing Musk’s publicized association with Trump:
Impersonator (Musk): You know, initially, I considered him just a foolish individual. But upon closer acquaintance, he’s actually quite caring, gentle, and affectionate.
Impersonator (Trump): Sweetheart, come back to bed.
Mark Zuckerberg Simulated Voice Messages:
A video published by Palo Alto Online captured the following audio, delivered in a fabricated Zuckerberg voice:
“Hey, Zuck here. I just wanted to express my immense pride in our collective accomplishments. From weakening democratic systems to impairing our grandparents’ cognitive functions with AI garbage, and— and making the world a more dangerous environment for transgender individuals. Nobody executes it with more finesse than us, and, uh, I consider that quite exceptional. Zuck out!”
Further simulated Zuckerberg voice messages discovered in online videos consistently contained identical audio content:
“Hi, this is Mark Zuckerberg, but my close associates refer to me as ‘the Zuck.’ It’s understandable to experience unease or even violation as we aggressively integrate AI into each and every aspect of your conscious experience. And I simply want to reassure you, there’s absolutely nothing within your power to halt its progression. Anyway, farewell.”