ChatGPT Article Is Vague And Makes Things Up About Southern Utah

We hear a lot about artificial intelligence taking over and replacing humans in many jobs. I have dabbled with ChatGPT and it is impressive what it can do. It is also funny because of what it can't do.

It's great for rewriting emails for instance. Take your poorly worded thoughts, copy it into ChatGPT and ask it to rewrite it and it spits out something pretty good. However, other experiments haven’t worked out so well. 

Gannett tried having AI write their sports articles. National newspapers have been dropping the sports scores on their front page as there are so many ways to get the information using social media. Some papers have dropped the sports section altogether. Gannett decided to give AI a shot at writing the articles. 

Here is a line Axios noted: 

• One such Dispatch article from Aug. 18 was blasted on social media for its robotic style, lack of player names and use of awkward phrases like "close encounter of the athletic kind." 

That has been my experience with AI. The words are often flowery and vague. Here’s a paragraph I asked ChatGPT to do about and upcoming game between Desert Hills and Pineview High School’s football teams: 

Get ready for an electrifying clash on the gridiron as Desert Hills faces off against Pine View in what promises to be an epic football showdown. With both teams boasting impressive records and standout players, the anticipation for this game is palpable. With playoff implications hanging in the balance, this game is poised to be a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and pure athletic prowess.  

No mention of specifically who those standout players are, and the impressive records aren’t that impressive. Desert Hills is 1-2 on the season and Pine View 2-1. I’m not even sure if playoff implications are hanging in the balance yet. 

Even better, sometimes ChatGPT just makes things up. Here’s a paragraph on the old Bigelow tunnel that goes through the bluff across from the mall.

The Bigelow Tunnel in St. George is a remarkable engineering feat that has become an iconic landmark in the region. This tunnel, which is an integral part of the road system in southern Utah, cuts through the rugged Red Rock cliffs, offering travelers a breathtaking passage through the stunning desert landscape. Built to accommodate both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the tunnel provides a convenient and scenic route for commuters and tourists alike. Whether you're driving through it during the day, admiring the play of light and shadow on the sandstone walls, or passing through at night when it's illuminated, the Bigelow Tunnel is a testament to human ingenuity harmoniously integrated with the natural beauty of the area, making it a must-visit attraction for anyone exploring the St. George region. 

Nothing about this paragraph is true. The tunnel has been walled up and used as storage for decades!

Artificial intelligence may not be ready for prime time. Gannett found out the hard way and has since canceled their experiment. It kind of writes like some of the papers I spewed out in college when I had no idea of the topic and tried to keep it purposely vague. Maybe that’s why professors have had a hard time spotting AI produced papers.