By Jake Steinman and Jennifer Allen

The only way to answer this is through experience. We know that AI is a cost-effective solution for rapid content creation and SEO optimization, but is it any good? We decided that the best way to learn from the AI sessions at TravelAbility was to experiment with two examples using Microsoft Bing Chat and Chat GPT as our AI engines.

Prompt to Bing: “Write a poem about making travel easier for people with disabilities”

“Sure, here’s a poem I came up with:

Traveling with a disability,

Can be a daunting task,

But with the right resources,

It’s a journey that can last.

From wheelchair-friendly hotels,

To accessible tourist spots,

There are many ways to travel,

Without worrying about the cost.

Tour companies like Planet Abled, Wheel the World (we changed this)

And Travel for All,

Are dedicated to making travel,

Accessible to one and all.

With meticulous planning and attention to detail,

They ensure that every trip is safe and well.

So, if you’re looking to travel with ease,

These companies are sure to please.

With their help, you can explore the world,

And make memories that will last.

So don’t let your disability hold you back,

Just pack your bags and hit the track!”

Not bad for 41 seconds. Interestingly, the results were as different from Chat GPT as though we’d hired two separate authors. 

Prompt to ChatGPT: “Write a poem about making travel easier for people with disabilities”

The same prompt came back with a much longer poem along the lines of, 

“In this world of dreams and endless sky, 

Barriers crumble as we fly,

Together we make the voyage sweet,

A harmonious journey, where all hearts meet.”

If it’s creativity you’re looking for, AI is an efficient solution. It may even be a good tool just to help get your own creative juices flowing.

The next prompt was more practical.

Prompt to Bing: “Create a Two-day itinerary for a wheelchair user in Fort Wayne, Indiana.”

Fort Wayne is a city that is committed to providing resources for visitors and residents of all abilities. Here are some activities that you can enjoy during your two-day stay in Fort Wayne:

Day 1:

• Visit the Fort Wayne Museum of Art: The museum has easily accessible exhibits and wheelchairs available to patrons
• Explore the public art scene: Eleven murals downtown are equipped with plaques, hung at an accessible height, that include a QR code to an audio file of the artist describing their work, and also feature a 3D-printed, tactile model of the artwork that allows the audience a new means of experiencing the art. Find the map of public art along with the locations of the tactile models here
• Experience live performances at the Embassy Theatre: The theatre is equipped with accessible seating, sensory kits, assistive listening devices, and an interpreter for the hearing impaired can also be requested two weeks prior to a show

Day 2:

• Visit Science Central: Home to more than 200 hands-on exhibits, all but one are wheelchair accessible. Check out one of the daily, live Science presentations in the newly renovated (2022) Demonstration Theater which was built with accessibility in mind
• Explore Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo: The zoo is 100% accessible to wheelchairs and offers entertainment options featuring daily sea lion shows, giraffe feeding, stingray touching opportunities, and more
• Take a stroll on Pufferbelly Trail: According to AllTrails.com, this is the longest wheelchair-friendly trail in Fort Wayne

For transportation assistance, you can contact one of Fort Wayne’s fine transportation services such as Clarkson Mobility or Community Transportation Network (CTN) Citilink buses are also equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps and other equipment to assist people with disabilities.

I hope you have a great time in Fort Wayne!

Prompt to ChatGPT: Create a Two-day itinerary for a wheelchair user in Fort Wayne, Indiana.”

Again, different AI engines offer totally unique perspectives. Giving the same prompt to Chat GPT gave me a much more detailed trip itinerary, with different attraction options.

Morning:

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at “Cindy’s Diner,” a classic diner with a retro vibe and wheelchair-accessible entrance. Indulge in delicious pancakes and hot coffee to energize your morning.

Late Morning:

Head to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, a family-friendly destination with paved paths, accessible exhibits, and helpful staff. Immerse yourself in animal encounters and vibrant habitats, creating lasting memories.

Lunch:

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at “The Hoppy Gnome,” a restaurant known for its diverse menu and accommodating atmosphere. Their accessible seating and delectable fusion cuisine make it a delightful choice.

Afternoon:

Visit the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, which is committed to accessibility. Explore their thought-provoking exhibits and immerse yourself in artistic expression. The museum offers wheelchair ramps and accessible galleries.

Evening:

Dine at “Tolon,” a fine-dining establishment with a modern flair and accessibility in mind. Relish in farm-to-table creations that showcase the region’s flavors, and savor the elegant ambiance…

TAKEAWAY: Both AI chats came up with great itineraries, but we lacked the Fort Wayne expertise to confirm accuracy in accessibility. Chat GPT included a disclosure to “Remember to verify accessibility details in advance and call ahead to confirm any specific accommodations you may need.” 

Bloggers have had some negative experiences with AI seemingly making things up, including bogus links for referencing fact. Jennifer Allen, of Wonders Within Reach, wanted to put together a listing of all wheelchair accessible glamping destinations, and thought AI could help research. Chat GPT came up with a great list, detailing accessible amenities, and including backlinks for confirmation of details (as included in the prompt). 

“Located in the heart of Montana’s breathtaking landscape, The Resort at Paws Up offers accessible glamping options such as luxury tents and accessible cabins. These accommodations feature roll-in showers, wide doorways, and other accessibility features. The resort also provides adaptive equipment and accessible activities for guests with disabilities.” 

Looks great, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, as confirmed by the resort, Paws Up has no accessible glamping sites. No roll-in showers, no accessible equipment. 

On the bright side, AI is conversational. If there’s something you don’t like, you can talk about it and have it regenerate. You can turn down “creativity” and guide it to the information you want to use. There are still holes in this. Yesterday, after specifying that I wanted only information from the article I had provided, I received this apology multiple times: “I apologize for the discrepancy. I was trying to provide you with more information that I found from the web search results that I used to rewrite your content. I did not mean to contradict or misrepresent what it says in the article. I should have verified the information more carefully and made it clear that it was not from the article. Thank you for pointing out my error. I appreciate your feedback and patience.” Unfortunately, after four attempts of reiterating to only use the content I provided, it was still researching for its answers, and then apologizing each time I called it out.

While many writers are leary of utilizing AI, there are undeniable benefits through its sheer speed. Use it to create a social media plan. Ask it to repurpose your writing for another platform. Use it to reword or to aim at a new demographic. Don’t forget that the AI of today is the worst AI you’ll ever use – a reminder from Lazlo Horvath that AI is constantly learning and improving. It will only improve from here on out.

Problem: The travel sector faces a dearth of resources in both finances and staff for appropriate growth and progress.

Solution: Unleashing ChatGPT’s Potential:

• ChatGPT, an AI language model, holds the key to overcoming the resource scarcity challenge.
• With its comprehensive knowledge, ChatGPT provides insightful responses without the need for real-time research.
• Experiencing exponential growth, ChatGPT’s capabilities have surged from processing 175 million documents to trillions within months.

• Rapid content creation and effective search engine performance (SEP) optimization become feasible, cost-effective endeavors.
• ChatGPT offers a conversational approach, ideal for constructing a compelling social media plan.
• Repurposing ChatGPT-generated content opens avenues for diverse applications across platforms and audiences.

This condensed summary created with the help of Chat GPT.