ChatGPT Generates Incorrect Hudson Valley Information

I know I can't be the only one that's a little weary of Artificial Intelligence.

What is AI?

Over the last few years, we've seen a boom in Artificial Intelligence with sites like ChatGPT. If you're avoiding AI altogether, let us break it down for you. ChatGPT is a "chatbot" that was created by OpenAI and launched in November of 2022.

According to Wikipedia, ChatGPT "enables users to refine and steer a conversation towards a desired length, format, style, level of detail, and language."

Users can ask ChatGPT about anything and the chatbot will respond with information quickly and efficiently. Or so I thought.

Asking ChatGPT About the Hudson Valley

I wasn't necessarily testing the system, more so I wanted to see what artificial intelligence thinks of my hometown.

I figured the easiest way was to head to Chat GPT and ask about one of the more popular Hudson Valley destinations: Beacon, New York. More specifically I asked Chat GPT to give me a fun fact about Beacon.

I thought this was a softball question and it would tell me something about DIA or Main Street. And right off the bat, we were off to a bad start. The A.I. generator writes:

Beacon, a charming city on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, is home to the "World's Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge."

Everyone in and around the Hudson Valley knows the World's Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge, aka The Walkway Over the Hudson, connects Poughkeepsie and Highland.

With that being said, Chat GPT added this gem of "information":

The Walkway Over the Hudson, a former railway bridge turned pedestrian walkway, spans 1.28 miles (2.06 km) across the Hudson River, connecting Beacon to the neighboring town of Poughkeepsie.

Ah yes, we love the bridge that connects Beacon to Poughkeepsie. Riiiiiight. Clearly that isn't correct, but who do we even report that to?! I'd like to speak to the ChatGPT manager, please.

The one thing that ChatGPT got right about The Walkway over the Hudson?

It offers stunning views of the Hudson Valley and is a popular spot for walking, jogging, biking, and simply enjoying the scenic beauty of the area.

This just serves as a reminder to double-check your next ChatGPT search. You may be smarter than AI.