3M expert witness used ChatGPT for $90,000 report in deadly explosion lawsuit

An expert witness hired by 3M to testify in a lawsuit regarding a deadly 2020 explosion in Houston used ChatGPT to write the majority of his report. Josh Autenrieth, an expert with Knighthawk Engineering, reportedly used OpenAI’s chatbot to compose up to 90% of the document while charging 3M approximately $90,000.

Court transcripts and chatbot prompts indicate Autenrieth instructed the AI to help create an “exceptional expert witness report defending the standard of care at 3M” and to demonstrate that the company was “0% at fault” for the blast at the Watson Grinding facility. The explosion killed three people and destroyed roughly 200 homes. Homeowners allege 3M failed to properly service the facility’s gas detection system.

Knighthawk Engineering’s Vice President, Nathan Knight, defended the use of the technology, stating that AI was used as a tool to review arguments and did not replace engineering judgment. Knight characterized claims that the report was invalid as “fake news” and maintained that the company stands behind the integrity of its engineers.