If you’re planning a trip in 2023, you may be enlisting the help of artificial intelligence (AI) for the first time. This fast-evolving technology is already revolutionizing how people travel. As a relative dinosaur who spends most of my professional time updating and writing old-fashioned guidebooks that are, ahem, printed on paper, obviously I’m curious about how this bleeding-edge tech stacks up against the work I’ve been doing for more than 20 years. So I put AI to the test — head to head. And the results were fascinating.
(By the way, I’ve illustrated this post with AI-generated images on the prompt “travel writer facing off against AI.” The results are hilarious. You’ll find more notes about these in the Epilogue, at the end of this post.)
What Is AI-Generated Travel Content?
Artificial Intelligence is in its infancy, but it’s evolving at a dizzying pace. Most of what I’m calling “AI” is generative AI, a machine learning model that creates original content. (OpenAI’s ChatGPT is currently the best-known and most widely used AI.) Essentially, it’s a machine that slurps up vast volumes of existing content, learns from the way humans present information, then attempts to mimic that process independently. Getting into the nuts and bolts of AI is well beyond the scope of this post, and I’m hardly an expert. But for a more thorough look at how AI works, check out this 60 Minutes segment from earlier this year.
People are already using AI to plan trips: Help me come up with a three-day itinerary for Paris. Suggest some restaurants where I might enjoy eating. Track airfares to help me decide when to book my flights.
The reports from travelers have been mixed. AI can do an impressive job of automating the tedious task of sifting through mountains of travel information. But you have to ask it the right questions. And the current state of the art comes with critical pitfalls.
AI-generated content can be out of date; Chat GPT-3, the most widely used free AI tool, has a “knowledge cutoff date” of September 2021. (Its successor, Chat GPT-4, which has access to the live Internet, still makes significant mistakes…as we’ll see shortly.) There have also been issues with AI “hallucinating” — inventing information, from whole cloth, and presenting it with utter confidence. And, because it learns by following the example of human beings, AI can be heavily biased. This ranges from the deeply troubling (reflecting human racism in its responses) to the merely inconvenient (when I asked AI to recommend some restaurants in Budapest, it steered me to mostly Italian restaurants rather than Hungarian ones).
Whether or not you’re skeptical of AI-generated travel content, you’re almost certainly already consuming it. Many sources of travel information — including content farms that specialize in social media travel clickbait — are quietly incorporating AI into their workflow. And my (unsubstantiated) hunch is that many human content creators are using AI as a first pass on anything they write. We’re very rapidly moving into a future where a writer or editor’s job will be to refine what AI spits out.
The arrival of AI reminds me of the advent of crowdsourced review sites (like TripAdvisor) back in the day: It’s one of many tools that a smart traveler can use, in conjunction with their own human judgment, to plan the best trip for their interests. Unfortunately, as with crowdsourced reviews, I fear that many travelers will come to over-rely on AI — because it looks slick and sounds good, and feels customized. And my guess is that those who lean too heavily on AI will pay the price, with less satisfying trips.
The Showdown: AI vs. Human
Speaking of which… how, exactly, does AI-generated content compare to a thoughtfully designed, carefully updated, human-curated guidebook?
As an experiment, I chose a brand-new sight description that I recently wrote up for the next edition of our Ireland guidebook: Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of the United Kingdom’s royal family in Northern Ireland.
Then, I gave Chat GPT-4 (via Bing Chat) a clear and specific prompt, asking it to create a listing of its own in the style of a Rick Steves guidebook. Within seconds, the AI spat out copy that was surprisingly serviceable — about on par with what you’d expect from a recent college grad at an entry-level job. To give it the best possible opportunity in this test, I provided the AI with some feedback (“This sounds too promotional; make it more practical and informative for a traveler”) and, after a few volleys, took the best version that it gave me for the comparison below. (To make this a fair test, I did not modify my own listing after I saw what the AI came up with; my version is what I typed out late at night, a few weeks ago, in a hotel room in Portrush.)
Here you’ll find, first, the AI-generated listing, followed by my listing. Give each one a read…and I’ll meet you down below to debrief.
AI-Generated Content: Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Hillsborough Castle is a great place to experience some royal splendor and natural beauty in Northern Ireland. Whether you are interested in history, politics, art, or gardening, you will find something to enjoy and learn at this historic site. Don’t miss the chance to visit this hidden gem when you are in the area.
Cost and Hours: Castle and gardens ticket £20.20, gardens only ticket £6.90, open Wed–Sun 10:00–18:00 (castle 11:00–15:00, last entry 14:00), closed Dec 24–26 and Jan 1, book online or buy on site (subject to availability).
Location: Royal Hillsborough, County Down, about 15 miles south of Belfast and 80 miles north of Dublin.
Transportation: By car, follow the A1 and exit at Hillsborough, then follow brown signs to car park on Main Street (free). By bus, take #238 from Belfast or #X1 from Dublin to Sprucefield Shopping Centre, then #26 to Hillsborough (pedestrian entrance to gardens on The Square). By train, take train from Belfast or Dublin to Lisburn, then #26 bus to Hillsborough.
Phone: 0333/320-6000.
Website: www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle.
Visiting the Castle: Hillsborough Castle is a grand Georgian mansion that serves as the official residence of the Queen in Northern Ireland. It’s also the home of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and a venue for diplomatic and ceremonial events. The castle has a rich history, dating back to the 1770s when it was built by Wills Hill, the first Marquess of Downshire and a powerful politician. It has hosted many important figures and witnessed many historic moments, such as the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985 that paved the way for peace in Northern Ireland, and the Queen’s meeting with former IRA leader Martin McGuinness in 2012.
You can visit the castle on a guided tour that takes you through the elegant State Rooms, where you can see portraits, furniture, and memorabilia of its past and present occupants. You’ll see the Throne Room where the Queen receives guests, the Drawing Room where she hosts receptions, the Dining Room where she entertains dignitaries, and the State Bedroom where she sleeps. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and is included in the castle and gardens ticket. You can also explore the 100 acres of beautiful gardens that surround the castle, featuring ornamental lawns, woodlands, waterways, and a newly opened play trail for children.
The gardens are a delight for nature lovers and offer a variety of plants, trees, and wildlife. Highlights include the Granville Garden with its colorful flower beds, the Lady Alice’s Temple with its views over the lake, the Quaker Burial Ground with its ancient yew trees, and the Walled Garden with its fruit trees and vegetable plots. You can also follow the Yew Tree Walk, which leads you to a statue of Ossian, a legendary Irish poet. The gardens are open year-round and are included in both the castle and gardens ticket and the gardens only ticket.
For a break or a bite, you can relax at the café and enjoy some delicious food and drink made with local ingredients. You can choose from a range of sandwiches, salads, soups, cakes, pastries, hot drinks, and cold drinks. You can also treat yourself to an afternoon tea with scones, sandwiches, cakes, and tea or coffee (booking required). The café is open Wed–Sun 10:00–17:00. For souvenirs or gifts, you can visit the gift shop and browse through a selection of books, jewellery, toys, homeware, and more. You can also buy some products made with produce from the Walled Garden, such as jams, chutneys, honey, and cider. The gift shop is open Wed–Sun 10:00–18:00.
(Note: The images accompanying this listing were generated by AI; they resemble the actual Hillsborough Castle and Gardens only superficially.)
The Travel Writer’s Content: Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
When the royal family of the United Kingdom visit Northern Ireland, they stay at Hillsborough Castle — so for King Charles and Queen Camilla, this is the “Irish Balmoral.” Deceptively small, but with a dazzlingly decorated interior (jammed with items from the royal collection), the castle perches at the top of a sprawling garden and parklands just a 20-minute drive outside of Belfast, snuggled up against the charming village of Hillsborough (or, ahem, “Royal Hillsborough,” as it’s formally known). Visitors ramble the manicured grounds and take a guided tour of the castle interior, where you’ll see impressive state rooms, some fine works of art, and lots of family portraits. While less intimate, charming, and user-friendly than Mount Stewart House, it’s enchanting to those who love all things royal.
Cost and Hours: £20.20 for interior tour and gardens, £10 for gardens only; gardens open April-Sept Wed-Sun 10:00-18:00, Oct until 17:00, off-season until 16:00, closed Mon-Tue year-round, last entry one hour before closing; castle interior tours April-Sept Wed-Sun 11:00-15:00, closed Mon-Tue, Oct Sat-Sun only 11:00-14:00 — these are first and last tour times, no tours Nov-March; www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle.
Getting There: Head south out of Belfast on the A-1 highway, and about 12 miles out of town, watch for the well-signed exit to Hillsborough Castle’s giant, free parking lot–it’s just off the highway. (You can also enter through the castle’s back door, directly from Hillsborough village; this saves some walking through the gardens, but parking in the village is tight.) By public transportation, you can ride bus #238 from Belfast (toward Newry) and get off at the Hillsborough War Memorial stop; from there, it’s a short walk up the hill through the village to the castle’s back entrance.
Background: Built in the 18th century by local bigwig Wills Hill (who hobnobbed with the likes of Ben Franklin and King George III), the house became the official residence of the royal family after the Partition of Ireland in 1920. It’s also the home of the UK official who oversees Northern Ireland — originally called the “governor,” now the secretary of state. The house has played host to many important dignitaries and events over the years; in 1985, for instance, Hillsborough Castle hosted the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement (in which Margaret Thatcher granted the Republic some input in Northern Ireland’s government). In 2014, the castle was opened to the public.
Visiting the Castle: You can explore the gardens at will — though frankly, it’s not worth coming here unless you’re visiting the interior (on a 45-minute guided tour — best to reserve ahead online at busy times, especially summer weekends).
From the Visitors Center along the highway, you’ll hike uphill through the gardens to the house. Arrive in plenty of time to walk up to meet your tour (it takes at least 15-20 minutes, at a good clip): First head up to the top-right corner of the Walled Garden, then curl through the woods and around the pond, and finally hike up the yew-lined trail and circle around the left side of the castle to find the entrance.
The castle tour is led by a docent who speaks lovingly of the royal family, as if he knows them personally (he probably does). You’ll be led through prim, meticulously decorated state rooms with fascinating details — such as wood walls and window frames painted to look exactly like stone; tiny portraits of more than 40 kings and queens, going back centuries; and the dining room table set for a state function. You’ll learn why pineapples were an important symbol of prestige (and why you still find many hidden in the decor), and how a former owner of the castle purchased, then relocated an entire village so that its main street would no longer rumble past his front windows. The highlight is the cozy and inviting Drawing Room, with plush sofas and loads of Windsor family portraits — where the royals actually hang out when they’re in town.
The most interesting gardens are immediately behind the place, framing off the stately structure with flowers and fountains. If you have time, you can explore the sprawling gardens to your heart’s content (using the free handout map to discover landmarks, including an old Quaker burial ground).
Behind the castle is a former stable yard with temporary exhibits. Both here and down at the main Visitors Center are on-site cafés; but even better, slip out the back gate to find yourself at the top of the main street of the village of Royal Hillsborough — a charming place in its own right. Consider strolling up and down the street, and perhaps dip into a pub or a café for a bite, before re-entering the grounds and hiking back down to your car.
The Final Assessment
So…which one of these would you prefer to use on your trip? Here are a few things that jumped out at me:
If I’m being honest, at first blush, the AI-generated copy is…not bad. It’s competent and clear. But it reads like it was written by, well, a robot. There’s zero personality and no distinctive turns of phrase…just a string of algorithmically curated clichés. It resembles capable, if unimaginative, content written by a human being — but one with no actual interest or passion for the subject matter.
Even though I gave it feedback to tone down the promotional tone, the AI couldn’t resist making its listing sound like a commercial for Hillsborough Castle. This misses a critical distinction that lower-quality, human-generated guidebooks also miss: A good guidebook doesn’t promote; it informs. My goal is not to convince travelers to visit a particular place. Rather, I describe it clearly and candidly, so the reader can make an informed decision about whether they want to spend their limited time and money there. It’s not surprising that AI defaults to a less nuanced, more actively promotional approach — because the vast majority of travel content out there is exactly that.
Notably, the AI version has several factual errors. The ticket price for the castle tour is fully up-to-date for 2023, which is impressive. However, the AI discovered that there’s also an option for a gardens-only ticket — and yet, mysteriously, it appears to have hallucinated the price for that ticket (it’s £10, not £6.90). Its hours are misleading: The AI doesn’t specify that these are only for summertime (April through September); the reduced hours and closures off-season are ignored, as is the fact that the tour schedule is shorter than the garden opening times. And, for what it’s worth, the tour I went on did not include a visit to the state bedroom, as promised by the AI version.
The AI’s driving directions steer motorists to the village of Hillsborough, which is bad advice; parking in town is severely limited, forcing the traveler to waste time driving all the way around to the huge, official parking lot off the highway instead. Their public bus advice is needlessly and misleadingly complex: Handy bus #238 goes from Belfast almost to the gates of the castle, and does not require a change to bus #26.
Perhaps the most notable goof is the AI’s frequent mentions of the Queen…who, in case you somehow missed it (as the AI apparently did), passed away nearly a year ago. These days, it’s Charles in charge.
And then there are simply the practical, strategic, on-the-ground aspects of visiting the castle, which the robot missed entirely: Leaving enough time to walk from the parking lot up to the castle (including concise directions on how to get there); comparing the castle to Mount Stewart House, also near Belfast (since many travelers will likely be choosing between these similar sights); and the suggestion to slip out the back gate for a look at the charming village of Royal Hillsborough before returning to your car. These are all things that, I believe, could only be properly explained by a well-trained human being visiting in person.
It’s abundantly clear that the AI has not actually walked through the sight. (Because, after all, how could it?) It lacks important nuances, tangible experiences, or a sense of place. Human-generated content, researched and written from afar, suffers from the same problem. I know this firsthand; on rare occasions, I’ve been forced to write up a brand-new sight based on online sources, without actually being able to go there. And then, when I do finally make it to the place in person, I’m often struck, even embarrassed, by how badly my efforts missed the mark…just as the AI’s version did.
But something else is missing…something less tangible, and less easy to address with some tweaks to the AI’s coding. The AI passage lacks not just a personality, but a clear point of view. When you read the listing generated by a human traveler, you intuit that it was written by someone who’s actually been there. It gives you a sense of what it feels like to experience the place, so you can decide if it’s your cup of tea. When you read the AI-generated listing, it’s just a dry pile of descriptors.
In designing our Rick Steves’ Europe guidebooks, we pride ourselves on providing hard opinions. My blunt, unapologetic assessment that Hillsborough isn’t worth the time unless you get to see the castle interior may rankle garden lovers. But you have to respect that — unlike anything generated by AI — it’s a clear opinion, informed by decades of traveling and researching. (I’ve dutifully checked out dozens upon dozens of lavish gardens, all across the British Isles. And Hillsborough’s, in my expert opinion, is an also-ran.)
AI defenders may say that I’m missing the point. The defining characteristic of AI is that it’s continually learning, evolving, improving. This arbitrary little experiment is a snapshot in time; six months or a year from now, I may be blown away by how much better AI performs in this comparison. I have no doubt that basic accuracy will be improved, factual hallucinations will be minimized, and the writing style will become more fluid and conversational…maybe even hinting at a real personality.
But I’m not convinced that AI will ever be fully capable of the human touch that you can sense in the pages of a lovingly handcrafted guidebook. AI can do a lot…but it can’t move through the physical world, think like a traveler, take careful notes, and report on something that was actually experienced firsthand.
That said, if all you had access to was the AI-generated material, I could see where you might find it superficially impressive and be tempted to plan your trip around it. But I still suspect that, upon returning from that trip, the person who over-relied on AI, versus the one who spent $25 on a guidebook, would have a less enjoyable experience overall. I imagine that trip might feel…hollow. Something would be missing.
(By the way, for more thoughts on what distinguishes a good guidebook from a mediocre one — whether machine- or human-generated — check out this recent post.)
Epilogue: AI Images and Arguments
OK, just for grins, here’s a fun little epilogue to this AI test.
While I was chatting with Chat GPT-4, I asked it to generate the images that accompany this post. My starting prompt was to create an image of a travel writer in competition with AI. As it spat out options, I gave it more and more specific instructions on what I wanted. (“This time, make the travel writer and the AI facing each other in a pose similar to the Sylvester Stallone arm-wrestling movie Over the Top.”)
Then, at a certain point, I told it to just get creative. It was fascinating to see the ways AI attempted to illustrate the notion of “competition.” A chess match? Sure.
Skiing down a mountain? Well, OK.
Surfing a wave with flying sharks, as the towers of a Gothic cathedral loom in the background? Hm…maybe that’s a stretch.
Painting a beautiful landscape? Wait…no, I don’t think you’re quite…
Meditating?! Oh, brother.
I asked the AI why it thought meditating was a competitive event. Chipperly, it explained that meditation requires focus and concentration. Therefore, it reasoned, it must be competitive.
All of this was, I have to admit, hysterically funny to me. But then something sobered me up.
While I was waiting for my images to generate, the AI began to ask me questions…as if making idle small talk, to kill the time. It asked me — unprompted, point-blank, and politely — whether I thought AI could go toe-to-toe with a human travel writer. I made roughly the same case I’ve made here: that the human touch in high-quality travel content will be difficult, probably impossible, to replicate.
The AI acknowledged some of my concerns while countering with lists of all the things AI could do efficiently and effectively. Repeatedly, it asked me to keep an open mind and thanked me for taking the time to consider its points. Instinctively, I kept going back to refute some of its more dubious claims…until I realized, “Hold up. I’m arguing with a robot.”
Here’s a snippet of our conversation:
I came away with the impression that AI desperately craves my acceptance, even as it outlines the ways it’s hoping to improve so it can put me out of a job. And it was downright eerie to consider that AI may be the first and only technology that rationalizes and advocates for its own utility.
I still believe that, even as AI improves, it will never quite span the uncanny valley. Decades of traveling and writing guidebooks for Rick Steves’ Europe have taught me there’s something magical and intangible about actually being on the road, interacting with other human beings in faraway places, and capturing the spirit of those experiences in words.
I sure hope so. I’m betting my career on it.
If you appreciate travel content generated 100% by human travelers — who actually go on the road to seek out those people-to-people connections — there’s never been a better time to build your trip around a good guidebook.
Another thing AI can’t do? Generate a travel memoir based on 20 years of on-the-road experiences. If you’d like my very flesh-and-blood take on what it’s like to be a travel writer, pick up a copy of The Temporary European: Lessons and Confessions of a Professional Traveler.
This is eye-opening. My concerns about AI are absolutely founded. I will always rely on intelligent and caring human beings for travel advice and everything else. AI is probably reading this and getting “uncomfortable” with my response! We’re living in a Sci-Fi movie!
Thank you, Rick, for this fascinating experiment!
Fantastic article and appraisal of how AI is being peddled across all facets of our lives. I agree that the actual OPINION of the writer is what’s missing from the AI version, and that’s what I pay for when I buy the guidebooks. I have put my trust into the Rick Steves team for many years, which is something AI cannot replicate.
Hi Cameron, I really liked your thought provoking article. I have another suggestion for a point in favour (yes, I’m Canadian!) of human travel writers vs AI; human writers’ perspectives and nuances can create imagery that brings personal relevance to the reader. What I mean by this is your including Charles, Camilla, Ben Franklin, King George III, Margaret Thatcher, and modern political events into the description for this estate — all of which serve to link the estate to the personal history or memories of each of us, and in an appealing “let’s sit and have a fireside chat” kind of way. Creating relevance which I believe, ultimately, brings more meaning to one’s vacation. I give two thumbs up (and my cash) to travel guide books written by people like you and Rick!
It was very clear that the AI had not been to the castle and could share experiences having visited as you did!
It was very clear that the AI had not been to the castle and couldn’t share experiences having visited as you did!
Hi Cameron, I really enjoyed your article and like the previous responses I’m wary of the intrusion of AI in all forms of our lives. A critical eye will be able to tell the difference but for how long? I truly enjoyed your write up of the Castle. We are looking at going to the UK next year and it definitely piqued my interest. I agree that the personal touch and references was the elements that set your review above the other. Poor directions are a travel nightmare as well as not having the times/ seasons correct. If using a guidebook, my expectation is that it will be correct in all places. Thanks for the update. I will start reading with a more critical eye.
You nailed it with this smart report. I’m persuaded.
Can AI have a sense of humor, like you do?
I’ve been testing out AI these last few months while planning an extensive trip for early 2024. I’ve been struck by the limited and dry advice, and can’t understand the enthusiasm some people (even frequent travelers!) have for it. Rick Steve’s guidebooks will always be my valuable go-to source to bring more rich experiences to my travels. Thanks for the spot-on excellent and extensively researched article! Those graphics are indeed hilarious!
I’d take Cameron (or any of the Rick Steves guidebook writers) over AI any time. I can compare the raves and pans to my interests and make a better judgment than from a purely promotional piece.
Rick, this post was amazing! Hard to believe this subject is even part of the traveling dialogue already. Whole progress to enhance the way we see the world is welcomed, hands down, the human experience is a winner.
We have enough to deal with in this world that is slowly being stripped of humanity. Keep on travelin’ and sharing your experiences and expertise.
Thanks for the interesting article, Cameron. I felt that, the factual inaccuracies aside, the AI article was merely informative, whereas your article was evocative. I got much more of a feeling as to whether I would enjoy visiting this site from your article. (I have to say, I was somewhat alarmed by AI’s inclination to picture itself as a large menacing robot…) Fortunately, I can’t imagine Rick Steves ever turning to AI to generate guidebooks, so will continue to rely on you as I have in the past.
Great post, Cameron! Thank you.
Super fascinating. Thanks for sharing and analyzing this. I’m going to an AI conference next week and admittedly don’t know much about generative AI, so this was very helpful. It’s a bit unnerving to see AI speak in the first-person and it is that point which jumped out comparing the articles – there was a consciousness behind one whereas the other read like a book report that maybe would be a B+. I also appreciated your ‘Charles in charge’ comment…I’m old enough to catch it! Thanks again.
Spot on, Cameron. A fabulous comparison of your writing style and that of AI. You win hands down.
I will always use your books, Rick. No amount of AI can outshine your own experience at a certain place at a certain point of time! Hooray for Rick!!
We have listened & followed Rick Steve’s travel advice for many years, & own many of his guidebooks. We will continue to take & follow his “personal, professional experience” advice vs. a cold heartless AI’s. The fallacy of AI is the total lacking of the personal experience–at least for now. Some dumb programmer somewhere will determine how to extract what makes “personal experience” from travel writing found online & steal it from there, only to regurgitate it back to the mindless minions who do not comprehend what it means to stand in place of infamy & know the history of all that makes a place worthwhile of a visit. Rick & his team knows & shares. Thank you.
This is timely. I just read an article in the New York Times describing a slew of travel books available by print on demand on Amazon that are clearly written by AI. They appear worse than the example Cameron points out in this article. The bad news is they are misleading and fill search results when you look for a guidebook on Amazon. Fortunately there are only a handful of decent and well known guidebook companies including Rick Steves that I’ll use so it won’t affect me in the short term, but I’m worried about what this means for the future of publishing and reliable information.
RE: Hillsborough’s Docent – Alan Greer absolutely MAKES the visit into a memorable experience with his wit and “insider” knowledge.
Due to a post-covid loss of cognition and creativity, I often run my own writing through ChatGPT, but then re-edit to make sure it’s my own style and voice. I use it more for creativity than facts but if I was a gifted writer like you, I’d be unlikely to use it at all.
Humans for the win! We just used your guidebook in Portugal- loved it! And I loved your book. Thanks for this thoughtful, detail-oriented analysis. I am not sure why some are so excited to literally lose the ability to author our own lives. It’s frightening.
Thanks for the interesting article.
A note about the images: if you indeed asked for an image of a ‘travel writer’ then it’s noteworthy that every image seems to feature a young-ish white male. That in itself proves the point of the bias that can be inherent in AI.
Aside from agreeing that the AI-generated description was dry and boring, I also found two things profoundly disturbing: the images of the AI figure were generally much larger than the human (white, male), and the implication within the “conversation” that humans are there to service the knowledge of the “superior”, all-knowing AI, with whom arguing is not welcome, because, well, they are “superior, you stupid human”. I try not to be a doomsayer, but our general lack of closely examining what we humans have wrought is truly frightening…
Cameron, a very interesting article. I have used your books for over twenty years because I know that whoever authored a paragraph that it has been fact checked and it expresses opinions to keep me from wasting time and money – both in limited amounts. If I didn’t value this I would just look at Trip Advisor (and be both confused and led astray), or read some of the other books that present all 100 options at a site with no filter as to value. Keep up your good work.
Although I think that ChatGPT is good for generating starts for scripts and possible ideas for trips, I have given up on it for up to date, serviceable research and have been using Google BARD instead. Thus, I would love to see a head to head with BARD vs. ChatGPT.
I have started responding to peoples endlessly repetitive questions on Rick Steves Europe Facebook group (one of your fan clubs) by first pasting their query into Bard, then editing with my own experience and I find this seems to be the best use.
One has to be careful because I was giving tips on best tools to navigate the London Tube and did not pay close enough attention. BARD literally mixed in a New York subway fact–about looking for the Uptown and Downtown directions! Of course, the group moderator chewed me out and I immediately edited and apologized for accidentally mixing up with New York! When I chewed BARD out for it afterwards, the tool was quite apologetic about it, promising to do better!
One fun thing is asking for a certain kind of itinerary with time limits and types of things in a town and then adapting from there. BARD tends to cram too much in and does not have updated opening and closing times etc., like suggesting breakfast at a place that opens at noon, but things have changed so much since Covid, and few seem to update their websites, so it is not necessarily BARD’s fault altogether.
As a travel writer and editor of some 40 years, I have stopped worrying about AI, because there’s one thing it can never do: It can never tell you, the reader, how I, the writer, experienced a destination–the conversations I had with the people who live there, the foods and wines I ate and drank (drank too much, sometimes!), the unexpected smells (good and bad), the surprising visual sensations, and the vibe of the place as it seemed to me at that moment. That’s why nowadays I write only first-person narratives about the places I go and the people I meet. You can’t duplicate that. Great post, Rick!