A new development in firearm technology has emerged with the creation of a 3D-printed pistol named the WASP, designed by an AI model known as GatGPT. This innovative project was spearheaded by Cody Wilson, a prominent figure in American gun rights advocacy, who trained the AI using one of the most extensive online repositories of firearm design files. Jonathan Ferguson, a curator at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, evaluated the WASP and noted that it was only partially operational, citing issues such as non-functional sights, an unusual grip shape, and an incomplete trigger guard. Nevertheless, a journalist from a tech publication reported that after an initial misfire, the WASP managed to fire successfully on two occasions. Advocates for gun control have highlighted that 3D-printed guns are not a novel concept; however, the recent ease of access to such technology poses new concerns. Previously, constructing a 3D-printed firearm required a certain level of technical expertise in engineering design. The current worry is that simply engaging with a chatbot can simplify this process significantly. In response, states like New York and California have enacted legislation mandating that 3D printers incorporate technology to prevent the production of firearm components. Detractors of these measures argue that such safeguards could be circumvented by developing new designs that the detection systems fail to identify. This raises an important question: should AI systems be programmed to refuse the design of weapons?
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