Hackers have reportedly infiltrated crosswalk systems in three of California’s major tech hubs to broadcast AI-generated voices mocking tech moguls Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg . Crosswalks in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City, intended to assist visually impaired individuals, were compromised, replacing standard audio prompts with satirical messages in the simulated voices of the Tesla and Meta CEOs.
According to a report by Business Insider, the hacks were observed over the weekend as videos of the hacked crosswalk messages made rounds on social media, showcasing the bizarre and often controversial content.
AI-generated messages targeted both Musk, Zuckerberg
The AI-generated messages targeted both Musk and Zuckerberg with satirical commentary. In one clip, a simulated Musk voice humorously referenced the Cybertruck and feelings of loneliness, while another featured him soliciting friendship and offering a Cybertruck as a bribe.
“You know, they say money can't buy happiness, and yeah, okay, I guess that's true. God knows I've tried. But it can buy a Cybertruck, and that's pretty sick, right? Right?" one audio clip reportedly says.
"Hi, I'm Elon. Can we be friends? Will you be my friend? I'll give you a Cybertruck, I promise. Okay, look, you don't know the level of depravity I would stoop to just for a crumb of approval,” another one said.
A particularly striking clip included a fake Musk voice followed by an AI-generated Donald Trump, creating a bizarre political and personal commentary, the report said.
Similarly, the AI-generated Zuckerberg messages were laden with sarcasm and criticism. One clip featured a simulated Zuckerberg voice boasting about "undermining democracy" and "cooking our grandparents' brains with AI slop,"
“Hey, it's Zuck here. I just wanted to tell you how very proud I am of everything we've been building together. From undermining democracy to cooking our grandparents' brains with AI slop, to making the world less safe for trans people. Nobody does it better than us, and I think that's pretty neat. Zuck out!”
AI-generated voice triggers action from officials
Palo Alto spokesperson Meghan Horrigan-Taylor confirmed that a city employee discovered the malfunction on Saturday (April 12) morning, revealing that 12 crosswalks were affected. The voice announcement feature has been temporarily disabled as authorities investigate the breach, believed to have originated on Friday.
“Signal operations are otherwise unaffected, and motorists are reminded to always exercise caution around pedestrians,” Horrigan-Taylor stated.
According to a report by Business Insider, the hacks were observed over the weekend as videos of the hacked crosswalk messages made rounds on social media, showcasing the bizarre and often controversial content.
AI-generated messages targeted both Musk, Zuckerberg
The AI-generated messages targeted both Musk and Zuckerberg with satirical commentary. In one clip, a simulated Musk voice humorously referenced the Cybertruck and feelings of loneliness, while another featured him soliciting friendship and offering a Cybertruck as a bribe.
“You know, they say money can't buy happiness, and yeah, okay, I guess that's true. God knows I've tried. But it can buy a Cybertruck, and that's pretty sick, right? Right?" one audio clip reportedly says.
"Hi, I'm Elon. Can we be friends? Will you be my friend? I'll give you a Cybertruck, I promise. Okay, look, you don't know the level of depravity I would stoop to just for a crumb of approval,” another one said.
A particularly striking clip included a fake Musk voice followed by an AI-generated Donald Trump, creating a bizarre political and personal commentary, the report said.
Similarly, the AI-generated Zuckerberg messages were laden with sarcasm and criticism. One clip featured a simulated Zuckerberg voice boasting about "undermining democracy" and "cooking our grandparents' brains with AI slop,"
“Hey, it's Zuck here. I just wanted to tell you how very proud I am of everything we've been building together. From undermining democracy to cooking our grandparents' brains with AI slop, to making the world less safe for trans people. Nobody does it better than us, and I think that's pretty neat. Zuck out!”
Crosswalk buttons 🚦 in several cities on the Peninsula appear to have been hacked - playing prank messages using voices that sound a lot like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.
— Betty Yu (@bett_yu) April 13, 2025
This is one of several in Redwood City @KTVU pic.twitter.com/oAukJoqGHj
AI-generated voice triggers action from officials
Palo Alto spokesperson Meghan Horrigan-Taylor confirmed that a city employee discovered the malfunction on Saturday (April 12) morning, revealing that 12 crosswalks were affected. The voice announcement feature has been temporarily disabled as authorities investigate the breach, believed to have originated on Friday.
“Signal operations are otherwise unaffected, and motorists are reminded to always exercise caution around pedestrians,” Horrigan-Taylor stated.
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