Both of our advisors, Grant and Tyler, are tech enthusiasts to say the least! When the opportunity to try out the latest Chat GPT4 and Google's competing AI (named Bard) came about - they were quick to sign up and take it out for a test drive.
In case you are unfamiliar with what ChatGPT is, in short, you can type questions to or have a conversation with a computer that's been programed with a lot of information. The program then responds instantly and often with astonishingly good results.
AI is already starting to make an impact on the world around us. Teachers are already worried about students leveraging AI to write papers. In a recent study, AI's response to medical questions were selected 79% of the time over a real life doctor as the AI was more "empathetic" and "higher quality." And lawmakers are introducing legislation to prevent AI from autonomously launching nuclear weapons (yikes!).
Read on for a quick anecdotal story on how Tyler used AI as a travel agent to plan an upcoming trip and why you may be talking with AI programs in the not-so-distant future.
What Tyler told ChatGPT
"You’re a travel agent. Plan an itinerary for 6 days flying into Portland, OR and out of Seattle, WA. We love all things outdoors like hiking and beaches. We’re a family of 4, ages 43, 40, 9 and 6."
How AI planned Tyler's trip
Day 1: Portland Arrival and City Tour
• Arrive at Portland International Airport and check into your hotel.
• Take a city tour to get familiar with the city, visiting landmarks such as the Portland Art Museum, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Pittock Mansion.
• Have dinner at a local restaurant and get some rest for the next day's activities.
Day 2: Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls
• Head to the Columbia River Gorge, just east of Portland, for some hiking and sightseeing.
• Stop at the Vista House at Crown Point for panoramic views of the gorge and the Columbia River.
• Hike to the top of Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon, and enjoy the views.
• Return to Portland for dinner and relaxation.
Day 3: Oregon Coast and Cannon Beach
• Drive west to the Oregon Coast, stopping in the town of Tillamook for a visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory.
• Continue on to Cannon Beach, known for its beautiful beaches and Haystack Rock, a large rock formation in the ocean.
• Enjoy a day of beachcombing, hiking, and relaxing on the beach.
• Return to Portland in the evening.
Day 4: Mount Rainier National Park
• Depart Portland and drive north to Mount Rainier National Park, about 2.5 hours away.
• Hike one of the many trails in the park, such as the Skyline Trail or the Nisqually Vista Trail, to see the stunning scenery and wildflowers.
• Have a picnic lunch in the park and spend the day exploring the natural beauty of the area.
• Return to Seattle in the evening and check into your hotel.
Day 5: Olympic National Park and Seattle City Tour
• Drive west to Olympic National Park, about 2.5 hours from Seattle.
• Hike one of the many trails in the park, such as the Hoh Rainforest Trail or the Hurricane Ridge Trail, to see the temperate rainforest and mountain scenery.
• Have a picnic lunch in the park and spend the day exploring the natural beauty of the area.
• Return to Seattle in the evening and take a city tour of Seattle, visiting landmarks such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass.
• Enjoy dinner at a local seafood restaurant and explore the city on your own.
Day 6: Departure
• Check out of your hotel and head to the airport for your early morning flight home.
As this example illustrates, AI has the potential to provide this degree of detail across a limitless number of topics. Both Tyler and Grant believe this technological development will become ubiquitous and transform our lives - much like the internet did. It will replace some jobs and work alongside others.
Curious to try out Chat GPT for yourself? Click HERE to take it for a spin.