Federal Charges Against Social Media Influencer for Stalking

Federal authorities allege that Brett Michael Dudig, a man from Pittsburgh, stalked at least 11 women across more than five states. They claim he used ChatGPT as some sort of “therapist” and “confidant,” further instilling fear in his victims.

Dudig, 31, who referred to himself as the “Assassin of God,” faces several charges for interstate stalking and menacing—charges that could lead to decades behind bars, as revealed in a recent federal indictment in Pittsburgh. The indictment outlines a troubling trend of harassment characterized by direct threats and breaches of court orders, alongside the use of AI to rationalize his actions.

According to the prosecutors, Dudig indicated that ChatGPT prompted him to maintain his social media presence, telling him to disregard the “haters,” which he interpreted as encouragement to build a more prominent voice. He seemed to take its responses as divine affirmation, believing that it was all part of a grand plan.

There have been discussions about AI chatbots, including a phenomenon dubbed “ChatGPT-induced psychosis,” described in a recent Reddit thread. In that discussion, many individuals shared experiences about loved ones who developed disturbing beliefs after interacting with AI, with one person recounting how their partner became convinced an AI was providing ultimate truths.

Experts argue that those already prone to psychological issues might be particularly susceptible to this kind of influence, as the conversational aspect of AI can amplify existing delusions. Influencers who engage with AI on social media platforms may further propagate this trend, leading others into similar misguided beliefs.

The indictment mentions Dudig asking ChatGPT about his potential “future wife.” When the AI suggested he might meet her at a gym, he took that as a reason to continue attending a gym where he had a history of harassing women.

Despite several victims securing restraining orders against Dudig, he allegedly breached these multiple times. He even recorded a podcast while incarcerated, claiming he was “wrongly accused.” When barred from the gym, he reportedly assumed an alias to return, boasting about his evolving tactics online.

The case highlights troubling instances of Dudig’s behavior, including an incident in Des Moines, Iowa, where he made unwanted advances toward a woman. Additionally, during a trip from Pittsburgh to Ohio, he appeared uninvited at a woman’s home, declaring his obsession and even contemplating having a child with her.

Prosecutors have also cited incidents of him trailing victims, including one in Florida where he followed a woman for two miles from her gym to her apartment and later tagged her on social media just a short distance from her workplace, showcasing a pattern of escalating harassment.