By now you have no doubt heart of Chat GPT, and the powerful new GPT-4. These AI-based services can create incredibly convincing responses to text prompts. Some reports have said that GPT-4 is capable of passing medical and legal licensing exams! So what does this mean for bloggers? If you can put together a blog with a simple text prompt, is this a good thing? Or will it lead to thousands of bland, AI generated blogs? Since many digital nomads are bloggers, will this be a great boon to such ‘chronic travelers’ or will it spell the end of a way of life?

Because make no mistake - AI can write entire blog posts in seconds. I fed GPT-4 the following prompt: “Step by step instructions for arriving by air in Cancun and meeting your shuttle driver including cautions and recommendations.” The output was pretty impressive for AI. Below is what it produced:

GPT-4 Output

Step 1: Pre-travel preparations

• Make sure you have a valid passport and visa (if required) for travel to Mexico.

• Confirm with your hotel or resort if they provide shuttle services or book a private shuttle service in advance. Obtain the contact information and any confirmation numbers.

• Check the latest travel advisories and COVID-19 protocols before departing for your trip.

• Keep your flight details, shuttle booking confirmation, and accommodation details handy, either printed or saved on your phone.

Step 2: On the plane

• Complete any immigration or customs forms provided by the flight attendants before landing in Cancun. Ensure you have a pen with you for this purpose.

Step 3: Arrival at Cancun International Airport (CUN)

• Disembark the plane and follow signs for "Arrivals" or "Immigration."

• Go through immigration by presenting your passport and completed forms. You may be asked about the purpose of your visit and the address of your accommodation.

• Collect your checked luggage at the baggage claim area.

Step 4: Customs

• Proceed to the customs area and present your completed customs declaration form.

• Follow the green line ("Nothing to declare") or red line ("Goods to declare") as appropriate. Be prepared for a possible luggage inspection.

Step 5: Exit the terminal

• Follow signs for "Ground Transportation" or "Exit."

• Be cautious of unofficial taxi or shuttle service providers who may approach you. Do not accept rides from anyone not affiliated with your pre-booked shuttle service.

• Exchange money or withdraw cash from an ATM if necessary, but be aware that airport rates may not be the most favorable. It's advisable to have some Mexican pesos on hand for tips or small expenses.

Step 6: Meeting your shuttle driver

• Look for your shuttle driver in the designated meeting area, typically near the exit or in the ground transportation area. The driver may be holding a sign with your name or the name of the shuttle company.

• If you cannot locate your driver, call the shuttle company using the contact information provided during your booking. Do not leave the airport with anyone who claims to be your driver without verifying their identity first.

Step 7: Board the shuttle

• Once you've met your shuttle driver, confirm the destination and provide any necessary booking information or confirmation numbers.

• Load your luggage into the shuttle and board the vehicle. Ensure you have all your belongings with you.

• Tip the driver if you feel it's appropriate. In Mexico, tipping is customary, and a tip of 50-100 Mexican pesos (or around $3-5 USD) is generally considered acceptable for shuttle drivers.

Step 8: Arriving at your destination

• Relax and enjoy the ride to your accommodation.

• Upon arrival, collect your luggage and thank your driver.

• Check-in at your hotel or resort and enjoy your stay in Cancun!

Recommendations and cautions:

• Keep your valuables and important documents secure at all times. Use a money belt or hidden pouch for added security.

• Be cautious of unsolicited offers for transportation or assistance, as these may be scams.

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas or when handling cash.

• Make copies of your important travel documents (passport, driver's license, etc.) and store them separately from the originals.

• Have the contact information for your country's embassy or consulate in Mexico readily available in case of emergencies.

So what do you think? A little bland, somewhat generic - but GPT did this in less than a minute, with a one sentence description. It will only get better.

It is almost certain that many blogs will use GPT-4 - and who can blame them. The big differentiator will be - is GPT-4 a tool, or is it the blogger? If it was used to construct a framework, to give ideas, or to research, that is one thing. But are people interested in reading GPT-4’s blog? It could blog on anything. Maybe that is my next experiment - a blog openly written by AI.

I think there is still a desire for actual, human-generated content. Written by good writers, with interesting life experiences, sharing what they have learned through doing, not just an AI that scraped the internet for content..

But maybe I’m wrong.