What happens if you ask an AI chatbot to write a poem about a town? Can it capture its history and spirit?

Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT has revolutionised the way we access and interact with artificial intelligence – and we wanted to try it out. 

The chatbot, which was developed by American company OpenAI, has become incredibly popular because of its ability to hold ‘human-like’ conversations with its users and generate speeches, songs, jokes and essays.

It gained more than a million users within a week of being made available to the public and had been used by 100 million people after two months.

The platform uses information from the internet to carry out requests and can hold back-and-forth conversations, admit its own mistakes and reject inappropriate requests.

To put it to the test, we asked it to write a poem about Sidmouth. Within 30 seconds, it had generated this ode to the seaside town.

Sidmouth, Devon’s Jewel

Sidmouth, oh Sidmouth, jewel of the Devon coast,

With cliffs that tower high and beaches that boast of sand so soft and water so clear,

It's hard to resist the lure of summer here.

The town itself, with its Regency style,

Is a pleasure to stroll, mile after mile,

Past shops and cafés, and elegant homes,

And gardens that seem to have sprung from old tomes.

But it's the sea that truly steals the show,

With waves that crash and ebb and flow,

And seabirds soaring high above,

As if they were heralds of this place's love.

Yes, Sidmouth is a place where love abounds,

Where hearts are light and feet hit the ground

With joy and happiness in every step,

And memories made that will never forget.

So if you find yourself in Devon's realm,

Do not pass up the chance to overwhelm your senses with the beauty of Sidmouth,

And let your spirit soar with the power of its mouth.