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Get Ready for Summer With an AI Travel Expert
We prompted GPT-3 to dish out travel advice, and the results are impressive.
Summer is upon us — and all of the travel planning that comes with it — so we built an AI travel assistant to help us enjoy the great outdoors.
Most large language AI models have a massive knowledge base from their training. GPT-3, for instance, has consumed over 45TB of text, representing a significant portion of the public internet. It has innate knowledge that rivals Google in its scope and surpasses Google in its ability to discern what information is best to retrieve and how to present it to the user. These foundational models aren’t trained in real-time, but they’re excellent at generating suggestions on topics that feel timeless — like travel.
Here's how we created our new AI expert:
We gave it a job description, which sets the foundation for every prompt that we pass along to GPT-3's completion endpoint.
We provided a few sample responses. In this case, we borrowed excerpts from some well-crafted travel articles.
We maintain a chatlog state with each completion to enable the user to ask follow-up questions.
The dialogue below includes outdoor destinations near a few major cities.
If you want to test the AI’s knowledge, reply to this email, and we'll send you back its response!
The following suggestions have been generated 100% by a 🤖 without human editing
New York
Where are some good places to experience the great outdoors near NYC?
AI: There are plenty of great places to enjoy the outdoors near New York City! Central Park is a great option for city dwellers looking to get some fresh air and take in some stunning scenery. For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, the Catskills and Adirondacks offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and fishing.
What are some good hikes I can take in the Catskills?
AI: Some great hikes in the Catskills include the Kaaterskill Falls Trail, the Overlook Mountain Trail, and the Panther Mountain Trail.
Which one is your favorite and why?
AI: I personally enjoy the Kaaterskill Falls Trail because it offers stunning views of the Catskill Mountains and Kaaterskill Creek.
Los Angeles
Where are some of the best places to experience the outdoors near Los Angeles?
AI: There are plenty of great places to enjoy the outdoors near Los Angeles. Griffith Park is a great option, with over 4,000 acres of space to explore. There's also Topanga State Park, which offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. For something a little different, you could also check out the Santa Monica Mountains, which offer a variety of activities like hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
What if I wanted to get out of LA for the day? Any places I can drive to?
AI: If you're looking to get out of LA for the day, there are plenty of great options nearby. Joshua Tree National Park is a popular choice, and is only about a 2 hour drive from LA. There are also several state and national parks in the area, such as the Angeles National Forest, the Cleveland National Forest, and the San Bernardino National Forest.
San Fransisco
What are some of the best outdoor destinations near San Fransisco?
AI: There are plenty of great outdoor destinations near San Francisco! Some of our favorites include Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais State Park, and the Marin Headlands.
What about some beaches? Looking for a place that my family will enjoy hanging out at while I get some surfing in.
AI: The beaches north of San Francisco are some of the best in the world for surfing. Places like Ocean Beach, Half Moon Bay, and Bolinas Beach are all great options. And if you're looking for a place for your family to enjoy, Stinson Beach is a great option. It has a wide, sandy beach that is perfect for relaxing and playing.
Chicago
Where are some places to experience the great outdoors near Chicago?
AI: There are plenty of places to enjoy the great outdoors near Chicago! To the north, you have the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan, and to the south, you have the scenic Illinois River. There are also plenty of parks and forests in the area, such as the Cook County Forest Preserves, which offer hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as picnic areas and camping sites.
What if I wanted to take a fishing trip with some friends. Any suggestions on places to go that are within a day's drive?
AI: If you're looking for a place to go fishing within a day's drive of Chicago, there are a few options. One is to head to the Mississippi River, where you can fish for catfish, bass, and other species. Another option is to head to the Fox River, which is a popular spot for trout fishing. Finally, you could also head to Lake Michigan, where you can fish for salmon, trout, and other species.
Miami
What are some outdoor destinations to check out near Miami?
AI: There are plenty of outdoor destinations to explore near Miami. The Everglades is a great option for those who want to see some of the unique wildlife that Florida has to offer. For those who want to enjoy the beach, there are many options along the coast. Key Biscayne and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park are two popular choices. There are also several parks and nature preserves worth checking out, such as Oleta River State Park and Biscayne National Park.
What if I wanted to take a boat somewhere?
AI: There are plenty of great boating destinations near Miami. The Florida Keys are a popular choice, as there are many different islands to explore. The Bahamas are also a short boat ride away and offer beautiful beaches and clear waters.