Two young Germans were convicted of human trafficking by the Bruges correctional court after police discovered they had unsuccessfully asked ChatGPT whether it is a criminal offence to transport a rubber boat to France.
The road police intercepted a suspicious vehicle with German license plates on the E40 in Oudenburg on 26 April, 2025. Under a black tarpaulin, investigators discovered a rubber boat, an outboard motor, three foot pumps, and four jerrycans of petrol.
In addition, 35 inner tubes were likely intended to serve as life vests. The driver, Shavethan R. (23), appeared to have paid Janik B. (21) €1,000 to accompany him.
The Public Prosecutor had demanded an effective prison sentence of up to 36 months.
Both defendants from Dortmund claimed they were not involved in human trafficking. According to the Public Prosecution Service, however, B. asked ChatGPT whether he could take a rubber dinghy across the French border.
"So he (B.) knew it was dodgy," the Public Prosecution Service said. Prosecutor Jinmin Arnou sought a 30-month prison sentence, possibly with a partially suspended sentence.
R. even faced a 36-month effective prison sentence. The Public Prosecution Service noted that he had communicated directly with the clients and knew other drivers. More so, he was in contact with the car that accompanied them to Northern France.
The defence argued that the German friends had absolutely no knowledge that human smuggling was involved.
"During the first interrogation, they fell off their chairs when they heard that," said lawyer Pieterjan Dens. Nevertheless, the defendants had inspected the cargo beforehand. "ChatGPT has all the wisdom and told them there was no problem."
After a month in pre-trial detention, both Germans were released on bail of €6,000, subject to conditions. The defence requested an acquittal but, as a secondary option, successfully pushed for a suspension of sentence.
If they commit new offences in the next three years, they could still be punished for human smuggling.
