Content Contest

How ChatGPT and DALL-E measure up against human creativity

By Tasha Anderson

In late December 2022, Dan Kreilkamp, who used to write and edit for Alaska Business before moving on to lend his exceptional talent to ARM Creative, texted me: “So what do you make of this new chat bot?” My highly informed response was: “Chat bot?... I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I sure do now. At the time, ChatGPT was building renown, and within days of Kreilkamp planting the bug in my ear I was seeing mentions of the text-generating AI (artificial intelligence) program everywhere I looked.

Seeing the rise of an AI text generator that was much more proficient than many of its predecessors just added to conversations we were already having internally at the magazine about AI generated images. In fact, when we were planning our December 2022 issue in October of that year, we had an article for which an AI-generated image might have made sense. Ultimately, questions about who really owns an AI-generated image and how to appropriately credit it (legally and ethically) prevented us from taking the plunge into AIgenerated art.

It seems like AI-generated content has been a topic of conversation unceasingly in 2023, with people both excited about its potential and concerned about its effect on, well, everyone—from eliminating creative jobs to removing the humanity from everyday conversations to hindering skills development in youth and students.

The first consequence, the loss of creative jobs, would apply to this magazine significantly, as many of our staff are employed to provide creative copy and design. So we thought we’d test its current capabilities and share the results with our readers.

Within this feature you’ll find two prompts, each one assigned to both a long-time Alaska Business freelancer and to ChatGPT, resulting in four short-form articles. We have presented them here side by side so that you can see how AI stacks up against professional writers; however, we’ve obscured the byline so you can form an unbiased opinion.

Things to consider: What’s the quality of the writing, and how well did the respondent understand and follow the assignment?

We then took all four short-form articles and crafted prompts that were fed into DALL-E (an AI image generator) and given to our production team, resulting in eight images, which you will also find published here.

Things to consider: Is the image on topic, is it visually stimulating, and do you think there’s a better image option?

To find out who or what wrote each short-form article; who or what sourced the images; and details about the editing and image sourcing process, flip your magazine footer-side-up.

While we have drawn our own conclusions about our job security, they're under wraps until the end of this article (page 87) to better allow you the space to contemplate the creative potential of AI.

Writing Prompt: Write 250 words about an exciting cultural tour in Southeast Alaska.

Cape Fox Tours’ Immersive Cultural Adventure in Southeast Alaska

Great fun; good family event; great historical site; must see; and well worth the visit. That’s how enthusiastic reviewers on Viator’s booking platform describe the Saxman Native Village, Ketchikan Highlights, and Lumberjack Show. The four-hour excursion operated by Cape Fox Tours creates an exciting, multi-faceted experience for Alaska visitors. And it’s a prime example of how cruise passengers, independent travelers, and other tourists can immerse themselves in Southeast Alaska’s rich culture and history.

“The Saxman Native Village, Ketchikan Highlights, and Lumberjack Show highlights the logging history of Ketchikan with a onehour, axetion-packed lumberjack show where guests can watch athletes compete in twelve timber events,” explains Adrianna Oliva-Parks, manager of tour development and transportation at Cape Fox Tours.

After the lumberjack competition, tour guests embark on a scenic drive to Saxman Native Village—established in 1894 and located about three miles south of Ketchikan—to learn about Tlingit culture and Native Alaskan customs. While exploring the area, they can enjoy an elaborate performance of tribal songs and dances in the communal Beaver Clan House. The excursion also includes an up-close view of local carvers meticulously crafting totem poles commissioned from around the world.

An Imaginary Tour of Southeast Alaska

Southeast Alaska is a land of immense natural beauty, with its pristine wilderness, towering glaciers, and mist-shrouded mountains. However, it is also a region that is steeped in rich cultural heritage, with fascinating stories and traditions that have been passed down through the generations. An exciting cultural tour of Southeast Alaska would take visitors on a journey through this history, showcasing the diverse cultures and lifestyles that have thrived in this region for thousands of years.

The tour would begin in Juneau, where visitors can learn about the indigenous Tlingit people at the Sealaska Heritage Institute. Here, they can explore the stunning totem poles, carvings, and other artifacts that tell the story of the Tlingit people's way of life and their deep connection to the land and sea.

From Juneau, the tour would head to Sitka, where visitors can immerse themselves in the Russian influence that shaped much of Alaska's history. At the Sitka National Historical Park, they can witness a reenactment of the 1804 Battle of Sitka, where the Russian colonizers fought the indigenous Tlingit people for control of the region.

Next, the tour would take visitors to Ketchikan, known as the "Salmon Capital of the World." Here, they can experience the art and culture of the Tsimshian people at the Totem Heritage Center and learn about the traditional fishing

There’s also a guided, narrated walkthrough of Saxman Totem Park—which boasts the world’s largest collection of standing Native American totem poles. Guests are educated about the cultural significance of each of the majestic poles erected at the historic site.

“This tour offers the ultimate Alaska vacation adventure for those wanting to experience history in action,” Oliva-Parks says.  practices that have sustained this region for centuries.

Finally, the tour would end in Haines, where visitors can witness the breathtaking natural beauty of the Chilkat Valley and learn about the culture and traditions of the Chilkat Tlingit people. Here, they can attend a traditional dance performance and witness the artistry of the Chilkat blanket, a masterpiece of weaving that has been passed down through generations of women.

With its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, Southeast Alaska is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. 

Image Prompt: Tlingit artist carving totem poles in Southeast Alaska.

Image Prompt: Tourists experiencing the breathtaking natural beauty of the Chilkat Valley in Haines.

| Generation Attempts: 5 | Versions: 2

Image B: Dall-E

Image A: Stock art sourced by Monica Sterchi-Lowman

| Minutes to Edit: 4.5

Headline Provided: Yes

Author: Tracy Barbour | Words Submitted: 250

Image D: Stock art sourced by Monica Sterchi-Lowman

Generation Attempts: 6 | Versions: 1

Image C: Dall-E |

Headline Provided: No | Minutes to Edit: 6

Author: ChatGPT | Words Submitted: 337