Cycling in Jackson Demonstration State Forest was ChatGPT’s idea. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
AI is everywhere. Anyone talking to Siri on an iPhone is using artificial intelligence. Alexa, she too, is AI.
It’s been in our hands and homes for years.
Only now it’s getting harder to know what is real and what isn’t when one sees and hears things online. But that’s not what this story is about. It’s about my first experience with ChatGPT, which was first released three years ago this November.
I’m not one to rush out to try to newest thing—tech, food, fashion, vehicle—you name it. It’s not an age thing. It’s just me.
So, three years after the rest of the world has been using ChatGPT, I decided to. I sought its advice for my September birthday week in Mendocino. I put in three searches that were all about the same. One I didn’t put in the fact I had lodging booked, so it recommended a few places. I was happy it listed where I staying—Stanford Inn.
While friends suggested where to go/what to do, ChatGPT planned more of an itinerary. From a couple of my searches it knew I was interested in hiking and mountain biking. Another I mentioned wanting great vegetarian food.
For the latter, it recommended The Ravens at the place I was staying. Good choice.
ChatGPT was the first to introduce me to Jackson Demonstration State Forest as well as Big River Trail and Mendocino Headlands State Park. The latter really was ideal for sunset—so, thank you AI.
(By the way, GPT stands for generative pre-trained transformer.)
I should have paid more attention to the routes in the demonstration forest, but it all worked out.
ChatGPT also “scheduled” an afternoon “recovery session” with suggestions of stretching, sauna, or massage at the inn. Another afternoon called for relaxation via yoga, swimming and a walk in the garden.
It provided lengths of some of the hiking and biking trails, described them a bit in terms of difficulty, and for some provided links for further information.
There wasn’t enough time to do everything ChatGPT planned for me, or that even I had thought about doing. That’s OK. What using this platform showed me is that it had good advice and that I will likely be going back to it or some other AI service.
Interesting. I haven’t used AI intentionally yet, but you can’t avoid it.
Mostly customer service AI assistance. I experienced my first stellar experience yesterday when I called Sirius XM for my renewal. It was the first time I haven’t had to firmly ask for a representative.
I was reluctant as well-now I’m sadly hooked. It is like a (very polite) customer service representative who pleasantly reaffirms my ideas with an always positive spin…then offers constructive suggestions. Crazily, it even takes my idea(s) steps further in anticipating my next questions. It oddly knows my next questions before I do!
Crazy and scary actually.
I told Dan he better be careful. I really like ChaD GPT and it never gets frustrated with all my questions 😂
Thanks Kaye, This is relevant intel and a good time to stretch into AI as ones friend…particularly in this travel universe, given it is complicated, with few others helping in this space.