Late last week, MSN.com’s Microsoft Travel section posted an AI-generated article about the “cannot miss” attractions of Ottawa that includes the Ottawa Food Bank, a real charitable organization that feeds struggling families. In its recommendation text, Microsoft’s AI model wrote, “Consider going into it on an empty stomach.”
Titled, “Headed to Ottawa? Here’s what you shouldn’t miss!,” (archive here) the article extols the virtues of the Canadian city and recommends attending the Winterlude festival (which only takes place in February), visiting an Ottawa Senators game, and skating in “The World’s Largest Naturallyfrozen Ice Rink” (sic). Ars Trending Video
As the No. 3 destination on the list, Microsoft Travel suggests visiting the Ottawa Food Bank, likely drawn from a summary found online but capped with an unfortunate turn of phrase.
"The organization has been collecting, purchasing, producing, and delivering food to needy people and families in the Ottawa area since 1984. We observe how hunger impacts men, women, and children on a daily basis, and how it may be a barrier to achievement. People who come to us have jobs and families to support, as well as expenses to pay. Life is already difficult enough. Consider going into it on an empty stomach."
I’m going to guess that MS AI determined the food bank is a tourist destination because it learned that more and more people are going there due to the rising costs of … everything. It also probably learned that people don’t like starving to death.
HUMANS LIKE FOOD. THEY ESPECIALLY LIKE FOOD WHILE ON VACATION. THIS PLACE HAS FOOD IN ITS NAME. IT PROBABLY HAS HUMAN FOOD. HUMANS WOULD ENJOY VISITING THIS FOOD BANK WHEN ON VACATION.