Seattle Crosswalks Hacked With AI Billionaire Voices

Several Seattle crosswalks were hacked this week to play AI-generated messages mimicking the voices of tech billionaires, particularly Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, urging pedestrians to oppose proposed local tax increases on the wealthy. The spoofed messages referenced ongoing Washington state legislative debates about taxing residents with assets above $50 million and included jokes about billionaires moving to Florida and high-profile crime cases. The incidents took place at intersections in South Lake Union and the University District, prompting swift action from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to remove the unauthorized recordings. SDOT emphasized the risks to visually impaired residents and announced plans to strengthen security to prevent future tampering. Amazon denied any involvement in the hacks. The events underscore both the vulnerability of public infrastructure to digital manipulation and the intensifying debate over taxing the ultra-wealthy in Seattle.