The AI Ohio to Erie Trail
I asked Google Bard to tell me something about the Ohio to Erie Trail
There is quite a buzz about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Major tech companies have jumped on the AI wagon. AI promises to make the world a more efficient place, freeing up time automating everyday tasks without human intervention and thought.
Google invited me to try Google Bard, their AI tool. I channeled my inner Jean-Luc Picard and asked Bard to tell me about the Ohio to Erie Trail and cycling the trail. Below are my prompts and Bard’s responses. My observations on Bard and AI follow.
“Tell me about the Ohio to Erie Trail in 500 words”
The Ohio to Erie Trail (OTE) is a 326-mile multi-use trail for non-motorized vehicles that traverses the U.S. state of Ohio, from southwest to northeast, crossing 326 mi (525 km) of regional parks, nature preserves, and rural woodland. Construction began in 1991, with sections completed as recently as 2022. Named after its endpoints, the trail extends from the Ohio River at Cincinnati to the Lake Erie at Cleveland.
The trail passes through regional parks, nature preserves, and other rural woodland. The trail is planned to be 326 miles (525 km) in length. Of that number, 267 miles (430 km) are complete and in daily use, 59 miles (95 km) are either under construction or in engineering design, as of Nov 2016. By the end of 2022 the Ohio to Erie Trail will have over 90% dedicated bike trails and 3.6% streets and 5.9% rural roads. Of the remaining 31 miles of off trail riding 17 of those miles are on the Fredericksburg to Dalton road section through the scenic Amish countryside. [Ohio to Erie Trail Newsletter, Spring 2022.
The Ohio to Erie Trail is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Ohio. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes, including forests, wetlands, and rolling hills. There are also many historical and cultural sites along the trail, including the Cincinnati Union Terminal and the Ohio Statehouse.
The Ohio to Erie Trail is a popular destination for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. The trail is well-maintained and there are many places to stop and rest along the way. There are also many opportunities to learn about the history and culture of Ohio.
If you are looking for a great way to explore the natural beauty of Ohio, the Ohio to Erie Trail is a great option. The trail is well-maintained and there are many places to stop and rest along the way. There are also many opportunities to learn about the history and culture of Ohio.
“Tell me about cycling the Ohio to Erie Trail in 500 words”
The Ohio to Erie Trail is a 326-mile (525 km) trail that connects the Ohio River in Cincinnati to Lake Erie in Cleveland. It is one of the longest paved rail trails in the United States. The trail is primarily on rail trails and canal paths, and it traverses four major cities, numerous quaint small towns, and miles of pastoral countryside.
The trail is a great option for cyclists of all levels of experience. There are many different sections of the trail, so you can choose a section that is appropriate for your fitness level and experience. The trail is also very well-maintained, so you can be confident that you will have a safe and enjoyable ride.
If you are planning to cycle the Ohio to Erie Trail, there are a few things you will need to do to prepare. First, you will need to make sure that your bike is in good condition. Second, you will need to pack plenty of water and food. Third, you will need to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Fourth, you will need to bring a map and a compass.
The best time to cycle the Ohio to Erie Trail is during the spring or fall. The weather is mild during these seasons, and the trail is less crowded. If you are cycling the trail during the summer, be sure to drink plenty of water and take breaks often.
There are many different places to camp along the Ohio to Erie Trail. There are also many hotels and motels along the trail. If you are planning to camp, be sure to make reservations in advance.
The Ohio to Erie Trail is a great way to see the beauty of Ohio. The trail passes through many different landscapes, including forests, fields, and towns. You will also have the opportunity to see many different historical sites.
If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding cycling experience, the Ohio to Erie Trail is a great option. The trail is well-maintained and offers stunning scenery. You will also have the opportunity to see many different historical sites.
Tom’s take on the AI-generated responses
Bard gave me three responses for each prompt. The ones above most accurately reflect the reality of the trail and cycling the trail. Much of the text sounds familiar. I see parts of Ohio to Erie Trail web pages, presentations, and YouTube video descriptions.
I suspect much of the other text comes from outdoor tourism and trail-oriented websites, personal and professional blogs, e-newspapers, and e-zines. This is what I expected the sources Bard would use.
Bard gathered parts and pieces from many sources. Some information is good, and some is outdated and inaccurate. Some responses did not accurately reflect Ohio's geography and the trail. Some information was repeated and rephrased.
My greatest concern is plagiarism, “borrowing” the words of others. Writers and bloggers often cite this plus the death of creativity and the art of writing.
Bard may return better responses when posed with a wider discussed topic. Inaccuracies and out-of-date information are a definite concern.
I may use it as a starting point for an unfamiliar topic. It beats Googling and reading many websites. AI information must be vetted before publication. I will always verify the text and use the words to formulate my thoughts. My advice is to use it cautiously.
Give Bard a try
I asked Bard for tips for using Google Bard. Here is what it told me.
Be clear and concise in your requests. The more specific you are, the better Bard will be able to understand and respond to your request.
Use natural language. Bard is trained on a massive dataset of text and code, so it can understand and respond to a wide range of natural language queries.
Be patient. Bard is still under development, so it may not always be able to provide perfect answers. However, it is constantly learning and improving, so your feedback will help it to get better over time.
Have fun! Bard is a powerful tool that can be used for a variety of purposes. Experiment with it and see what you can create.
Tom on the Trails
(The real guy, not an AI bot)