News AI-powered misinformation on Fukuoka tourism website

[thomas]

A website promoting Fukuoka Prefecture's attractions has recently been caught in a controversy involving AI-generated content. The site's operator apologized after discovering that AI-generated articles introduced nonexistent tourist spots and local delicacies. The website, "Fukuoka Tsunagari Ouen," was launched in November to promote campaigns in collaboration with the public and private sectors. However, the site's operator, a web-related business in Tokyo, admitted that the articles contained factual errors and subsequently deleted them all. The Fukuoka Municipal Government, taking the matter seriously, has revoked its support for the site. The operator also runs similar websites promoting Okinawa , Miyagi, and Yamaguchi prefectures.


So, how many tourists attempted to visit Uminonakamichi Seaside Park??

However, one of its articles on the city of Fukuoka introduced a nonexistent facility called "Uminaka Happiness World," an image saved by one site user showed. It also introduced the amusement facility "Kashii Kaen Sylvania Garden" despite the facility having closed in 2021. An article featuring the Fukuoka Prefecture city of Koga, meanwhile, introduced the locations "Fukutsu great nature park," "Kagoshima Bay," and the Koinoura Coast" -- none of which are in Koga. It also named the "Koga sashimi set" as a popular local dish among tourists, but there is no such item. The articles were published with a disclaimer stating, "This article is generated by AI based on information on the internet, and we do not guarantee its accuracy. Please note that the information may be incorrect or subject to change." A stream of comments expressing concern and criticism about the content flooded social media. On Nov. 7, six days after the site was launched, the operator published an apology, which explained that the articles had been created with generative AI and underwent "human verification." It says that in the future, the operator will reinforce the collection of accurate information and strengthen its checking system.

AI-generated articles introduce nonexistent tourist spots on site promoting Fukuoka Pref. - The Mainichi

FUKUOKA -- The operator of a website launched this month to promote Fukuoka Prefecture's attractions has apologized after it was discovered AI-generat

mainichi.jp