Sunday 7 May 2023

Is AI about to disrupt the travel writing industry? Part 3

So my previous attempts at getting ChatGPT to produce content has been fairly unsuccessful, so I figured I'd take the direct approach. I uploaded the text of 3 longer posts from this blog, and asked it to emulate the style.

For reference, the 3 posts I included were:
https://travelswithstjude.blogspot.com/2022/02/on-backpackers.html


I'm going to give you three samples of writing. After I've done so, I'd like you to try again to produce the blog article, this time emulating the style from the samples. Can you do that, please?

Sure, I can certainly try to emulate the style of the samples you provide. Please go ahead and provide the samples, and I'll do my best to create the blog article in that style.

[I posted the text of the 3 articles]

Sample 1 is a travel blog post about the author's experience in the city of Marrakech, Morocco. The author describes the colorful markets, the street food, the traditional hammams, and the iconic Jemaa el-Fnaa square. They also mention some tips for travelers, such as bargaining in the markets and dressing appropriately.

Sample 2 is a travel blog post about the author's experience in the city of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. The author lists 5 reasons why visitors should check out this provincial capital city, such as the food and markets, the variety of temples, the good museum, the inexpensive prices, and the good public transport connections.

Sample 3 is a travel blog post about the author's experience in the town of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. The author expresses disappointment with the town's focus on midrange and wealthy American tourists and lack of options for backpackers and domestic travelers. They suggest that the town is more focused on cashing in on the popularity of the nearby Komodo Island rather than catering to a diverse group of travelers.


Whoah back, Nellie-bell! For a start, the software has completely ignored the instructions, and instead given me a summary of the 2nd and 3rd articles. More worryingly, it's added an entirely made-up summary for a non-existent first article (the 1st article I'd provided was a rant about anti-backpacker sentiment from government tourism officials; the formatting was slightly different on this one, so it may have struggled to understand that it was the first sample to be used). But I have no idea why it started talking about visiting Marrakech, a place I've never been. Instead of admitting that it (presumably) couldn't find the first article, it just invented some nonsense.

Heaven help us if any news publication starts trying to generate stories with ChatGPT. 

So I reiterated the instructions.

Please write an article on visiting Valencia, in the style of the 3 samples I provided.

Valencia: Where History Meets Modernity

Valencia is a beautiful city located on the southeastern coast of Spain, known for its stunning architecture, delicious food, and rich history. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, there's always something new to discover in Valencia. In this article, we'll explore some of the top attractions and experiences that make Valencia a must-visit destination.

Architecture:

One of the most striking things about Valencia is its unique mix of ancient and modern architecture. The city's historic center is home to beautiful Gothic and Baroque buildings, while the City of Arts and Sciences showcases some of the most innovative and futuristic architecture in Europe.

The Cathedral of Valencia is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in history and architecture. The cathedral, which dates back to the 13th century, is home to beautiful stained glass windows, a stunning altar, and an impressive bell tower that offers breathtaking views of the city.

The City of Arts and Sciences, designed by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava, is a modern marvel that features a planetarium, an opera house, and a science museum. The complex is a testament to the city's commitment to innovation and creativity, and is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in design and architecture.

Food:

Valencia is known for its delicious cuisine, which is influenced by the city's location on the coast and its history as a trading hub. Some of the must-try dishes in Valencia include paella, a rice dish that is cooked with saffron, seafood, and vegetables, and horchata, a refreshing drink made from tiger nuts.

If you're looking for a traditional Valencian dining experience, head to one of the city's many tapas bars, where you can sample a variety of small plates and share them with friends. Some of the most popular tapas dishes in Valencia include patatas bravas, fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, and croquetas, creamy croquettes filled with ham or cheese.

Culture:

Valencia is a city with a rich cultural heritage, and there are many museums and galleries that showcase its history and art. The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the city's most popular attractions, and features an impressive collection of Spanish art from the 14th to the 20th century.

The Central Market is another must-visit destination for anyone interested in culture and food. The market, which dates back to the 19th century, is a vibrant hub of activity where locals and tourists alike come to buy fresh produce, meat, and fish.

Conclusion:

Valencia is a city that has something for everyone, whether you're interested in history, architecture, food, or culture. With its stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, and rich cultural heritage, Valencia is a must-visit destination that will leave you enchanted and wanting to come back for more. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Valencia today!


Oh. Dear.

Anyone who has read part 1 will immediately recognise the problem. This is the exact same style as it's first attempt, generic-travel-writing-101 bullshit. It has completely and utterly failed to parse out any style or tone of voice from my samples, and instead reverted back to it's initial approach.

So, none of my attempts have generated anything like success. And I keep thinking about a podcast I was listening to as I cleaned my kitchen the other day. They suggested that, for all the doom-and-gloom about jobs being made redundant by this software, there would be new jobs created, namely AI-input professionals. 

Trying to get ChatGPT to understand what I wanted was difficult, and (quite frankly) exhausting. I gave up after the final example above, because I was just too frustrated to bother any more. Given all the quirks of the system (including it's tendency to just make shit up, rather than admit when it didn't know something), figuring out exactly what to ask and how to ask it is going to become a significant skillset, and one that will require a lot of practice to master.

So I'm guessing copywriters won't be replaced - they'll just develop an additional skill.

And as someone who has worked with loads of copywriters and knows the enormous value they bring to business, that's a welcome prediction.

No comments:

Post a Comment