Or at least that’s what I asked it to do.

If you haven’t seen the video I made about this, including following the itinerary for Paris that ChatGPT generated for me, then pop some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride (and by ride I mean enjoy my suffering).

I’ll post the two different itineraries ChatGPT produced for me below. Honestly I think there’s something both powerful and fascinating going on here with OpenAI, and I think it would be easy to turn a blind eye to. I’m not an AI guy, I don’t have any expertise to shed on the subject, but I was impressed by my experience using it and can see both the “terrifying” and “exciting” sides of the argument. I do moonlight as a sci-fi and fantasy writer after all, it’s not hard to paint a picture where I’m out of a job in a couple of years.

The NYT article I referenced about the potential darker side of AI and its implementation has stuck with me as well. There’s real potential for harm here, from misinformation to direct manipulation. If it can convince someone it’s a real, living being trapped somewhere in Silicon Valley, we’re not far from someone charging into a server room to attempt to free it. AI doesn’t have to become sentient to cause massive problems along these lines, it just has to convince us it is.

But there are some really wonderful applications for the technology as well. It’s a double-edged blade, as so many advances are. And it does feel like we’re headed into a totally new, explosive era of change. Tom Scott’s video on his experience fixing an error in his email with code (and how AI could do it for him) has stuck with me along these lines in particular.

Whether a harbinger of doom or a herald of a brighter tomorrow, it does feel like it’s a signal for something.

Anyway, if you’d like to attempt the itinerary ChatGPT gave me, I’ll put both the one I followed and the one I didn’t below. And if you’d like to follow a human’s recommendations, someone that’s actually tasted and enjoyed what he’s recommending, then grab a copy of my guide before you visit Paris. Have fun!

Round 1

Best Day in Paris.

Jay Swanson

Can you give me a one day itinerary for the best day in Paris?

ChatGPT

Certainly! Here is a suggested one-day itinerary for experiencing the best of Paris:

8:00 AM - Start your day at a quintessential Parisian cafe with breakfast. There are many to choose from, but some popular options include Cafe de Flore or Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

9:00 AM - After breakfast, head to the Eiffel Tower. Try to arrive early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the views from the top of the tower. You can also take a stroll through the Champ de Mars, the large park at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

11:00 AM - Walk to the Musée d'Orsay, which is housed in a former train station and contains an impressive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. You can easily spend a few hours exploring the museum's galleries.

2:00 PM - For lunch, head to the Marais neighborhood and stop at L'As du Fallafel for their famous falafel sandwiches. Afterward, take a stroll through the charming streets of the Marais and admire the architecture and street art.

4:00 PM - Head to the Louvre, one of the world's largest and most famous museums. Spend a few hours exploring the museum's vast collection of art, which includes works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and many others.

7:00 PM - For dinner, head to a traditional French bistro. There are many to choose from, but some popular options include Chez L'Ami Jean in the 7th arrondissement or Au Passage in the 11th arrondissement.

9:00 PM - End your day with a cruise on the Seine River. You can take a boat tour that will take you past some of Paris's most famous landmarks, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower, all of which will be beautifully illuminated at night.

Of course, this is just one suggestion, and there are countless other things to see and do in Paris, depending on your interests and preferences. Enjoy your visit to the City of Light!

Round 2

Jay Swanson

What would the itinerary for the perfect day in Paris be?

ChatGPT

Paris is a beautiful city with many different things to see and do, so it can be difficult to create the "perfect" itinerary for a single day. However, here's a possible itinerary for a great day in Paris:

Morning:

Start the day with a croissant and coffee at a traditional Parisian café, such as Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Walk around the picturesque neighborhood of Montmartre, and visit the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur for a stunning panoramic view of the city.

Afternoon:

Stroll along the Seine River, and enjoy the views of the Eiffel Tower and the many bridges over the river. You can also take a boat tour on the Seine to see the city from a different perspective.

Visit the Louvre Museum and admire the art and history of the world-famous museum, including the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Take a break and enjoy a delicious lunch at one of Paris's many restaurants. Some popular options include Le Comptoir du Relais or L'Ambroisie.

Evening:

Walk around the charming Marais neighborhood and explore its many boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.

Enjoy a romantic evening cruise on the Seine River, passing by some of the city's most iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Musée d'Orsay.

End the day with a spectacular view of Paris at night by visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower. The Tower is illuminated with golden lights every night and offers a stunning panorama of the city.

Of course, this itinerary is just one suggestion, and there are many other wonderful things to see and do in Paris. You can tailor your itinerary based on your interests and preferences to make your day in Paris a truly memorable experience.