In a story blending luck, technology, and generosity, a Virginia woman has won a $150,000 Powerball jackpot using numbers suggested by ChatGPT, marking what could be the first documented lottery win attributed to AI assistance. Carrie Edwards, a 58-year-old widow and grandmother from Midlothian, matched four out of five white balls plus the Powerball in the September 8, 2025 drawing, securing a $50,000 base prize that tripled to $150,000 thanks to the $1 Power Play option. For lottery players, AI skeptics, and feel-good story seekers searching ChatGPT lottery win, Carrie Edwards Powerball, or AI picks winning numbers 2025, Edwards’ tale isn’t about beating the odds with algorithms—it’s a serendipitous first-time win that she’s channeling entirely into charity, proving AI’s quirky role in everyday miracles.
Edwards, who had never played the lottery online before, turned to OpenAI’s ChatGPT in a moment of whimsy, and the results have not only changed her life but inspired others to pay it forward.
The Lucky Draw: From AI Prompt to Jackpot Alert
Edwards’ win unfolded like a modern fairy tale. On September 8, while experimenting with the Virginia Lottery’s mobile app for the first time, she faced the classic dilemma: What numbers to pick? Instead of birthdays or quick picks, she fired up ChatGPT on her phone and simply asked, “ChatGPT, talk to me… Do you have numbers for me?”
The AI obliged with a set of numbers that, unbeknownst to her, aligned perfectly for the drawing: Four of the five white balls plus the red Powerball, netting the $50,000 prize. With the Power Play multiplier (a $1 add-on that randomly boosts non-jackpot wins), her payout soared to $150,000—about ₹1.26 crore.
Two days later, during a work meeting, her phone buzzed with a notification: “Please collect your lottery winnings.” Skeptical at first—”I thought it was a scam; I know I didn’t win”—Edwards rushed home to log in, only to confirm the life-altering alert. “It was a life-changing surprise,” she told lottery officials, crediting the AI for her serendipitous selection.
| Drawing Details | Winning Combo | Edwards’ Match | Prize Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | September 8, 2025 | 4/5 White + Powerball | $50,000 Base |
| Power Play Multiplier | 3x | Applied | Total: $150,000 |
From Windfall to Giving Back: Donating the Entire Prize
What sets Edwards’ story apart isn’t the AI twist—it’s her immediate decision to donate every penny. As a widow and grandmother who has “been so blessed,” she viewed the win as a divine nudge to bless others, splitting the $150,000 equally among three charities close to her heart.
- $50,000 to Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD): Honors her late husband, who battled the disease.
- $50,000 to Shalom Farms: Supports a Virginia nonprofit aiding families in need.
- $50,000 to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: Aids military families, reflecting her values of service.
“As soon as that divine windfall happened… I knew I needed to give it all away,” Edwards shared during a press conference, emphasizing stewardship over splurging. Her act has inspired viral buzz, with social media praising the “full-circle” generosity.
The AI Angle: Fun Fact or Fluke?
ChatGPT’s role adds a whimsical layer—while the AI can’t predict lotteries (it’s trained on patterns up to 2023, not future draws), Edwards’ prompt yielded a lucky match. Hobbyists have toyed with AI for picks before, but her win stands out as a feel-good anomaly. Experts like lottery officials note it’s among unconventional methods that occasionally pay off, reminding players: Odds remain 1 in 292 million for the big jackpot.
This isn’t the first AI-lottery tale—Italian students used algorithms for $50,000 in 2025—but Edwards’ donation elevates it to inspirational status.
Broader Buzz: A Heartwarming Win in a Skeptical World
Edwards’ story has gone viral, blending tech curiosity with human kindness. On X (formerly Twitter), users quipped about “prompting their way to riches,” while charity advocates hailed her as a role model. The Virginia Lottery confirmed her claim, noting she’s one of many using personal quirks for picks.
As Edwards reflected: “I’ve been so blessed, and I want this to be an example of how other people, when they’re blessed, can bless other people.”
Conclusion: ChatGPT’s Lucky Prompt and a Lesson in Giving
Carrie Edwards’ $150,000 ChatGPT lottery win is a delightful reminder that fortune favors the bold—and the generous. From a casual AI query to a full donation, her tale proves tech can spark serendipity, but heart drives impact. For lottery dreamers, it’s a fun nudge: Ask the bot, but plan to pay it forward. Will more AI-assisted wins follow? The odds—and the prompts—are anyone’s guess. financialexpress
