AI Sends Visitors To See Hot Springs In Australia That Didn't Exist

Australia is popular among tourists for its breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches and unique wildlife. Millions of visitors travel to the country every year to see iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and the majestic Great Barrier Reef. Beyond these well-known attractions, the country offers countless experiences for travellers. However, a recent error on an Australian travel website left several tourists frustrated and disappointed.

A faulty AI-powered feature on a popular Tasmania Tours website recommended “Weldborough Hot Springs”. The blog described the place as a “tranquil haven” that offered “a peaceful escape” in the forests of northeast Tasmania. Trusting the recommendation, several tourists travelled to Tasmania in search of this natural hot spring.

However, the destination turned out to be a farce when visitors arrived at a location that was nothing like the relaxing oasis they had imagined. The mistake left many travellers feeling misled, with some even questioning the credibility of the website.

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Scott Hennessey, the owner of Australian Tours and Cruises, which operates Tasmania Tours, spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Network about the incident involving their AI system. He admitted that the company's AI “has messed up completely,” leading to incorrect information being published on the website. The issue arose after the company outsourced the creation of its marketing content to a third-party provider.

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Hennessey explained that he usually reviews every post before it goes live. This time, however, the blog post was published while he was out of the country and unable to oversee the process. “We're trying to compete with the big boys. Part of that is you've got to keep your content refreshed and new all of the time,” he said.

“We're not a scam. We're a married couple trying to do the right thing by people…We are legit, we are real people, we employ sales staff,” he added.

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The company further told CNN that the online backlash and damage to its reputation have been “absolutely soul-destroying.” “We are just trying to get on with our lives and put the whole thing behind us,” the company said.