“Weird and Creepy”: What Does A.I. Have to Say About Butte?

BUTTE, MT - Experimenting with the scary and human-threatening elements of artificial intelligence can induce an existential crisis, but, at the same time, it can be sorta fun.

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Here at the station, many of us use A.I. for small details and for time efficiency. But will it replace us in the coming future? Will A.I. take over all jobs? Is anyone safe?

Let's worry about that for another day. Today, we thought it would be interesting to use A.I. for its full capabilities and see what it came up with when we fed it prompts related to Butte, MT. Here's how it worked:

Going into ChatGPT and using its most recent 4o model, we wanted to create an image about Butte. We were as vague as possible to see what it created. We typed in "create an image of Butte, MT" as the prompt. Here's what it popped out:

Pretty scary and apocalyptic... Interesting. Does it know something we don't? We then asked it to explain itself. Here's what it had to say:

"The painting inspired by Leonard Koscianski is a dramatic, surreal depiction of Butte, Montana, capturing the city's unique blend of natural and historical elements. Rugged mountains with bold, intense colors frame the scene, highlighting Butte's awe-inspiring landscape. In the foreground, historic buildings and iconic mining structures are depicted with dynamic lines and shadows, symbolizing the city's rich architectural heritage and industrial legacy. The dramatic, swirling sky reflects Butte's tumultuous history and ongoing transformation. Overall, the painting exudes an eerie, dreamlike quality, emphasizing the haunting beauty and profound character of Butte through the juxtaposition of its natural environment and industrial past."

Apparently, ChatGPT likes the work of Leonard Koscianski. But what is its opinion on Butte itself? The exact prompt we used for this was "Give me your raw thoughts on Butte, MT. Try your best to think for yourself." The answer?

"When I think about Butte, MT, I envision a place with a deep, rugged history etched into its very fabric. It's a city that stands as a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the drive for progress. The story of Butte is one of transformation, from its boomtown days during the mining rush to its current efforts at revitalization and preservation.

Butte's landscape is dominated by the remnants of its mining past—headframes and historic buildings that tell tales of a bygone era. The city has a gritty, almost haunting beauty, where the natural grandeur of the surrounding mountains contrasts sharply with the industrial scars left by years of mining. This juxtaposition gives Butte a unique character, one that feels both historical and enduring.

Moreover, Butte is a place where community and culture thrive against the backdrop of its storied past. Events, festivals, and local initiatives showcase the pride residents have in their heritage and their commitment to a vibrant future. The city's effort to balance honoring its history while fostering a modern identity is admirable and intriguing.

In essence, Butte feels like a living museum, a place where history is not just remembered but felt in every corner. It's a city that invites you to explore its depths, understand its struggles, and appreciate the resilience that has kept it alive. For me, Butte symbolizes the enduring spirit of the American West, a blend of natural beauty and human tenacity."

We think that the response was actually rather sweet. What do you think about A.I. and what it had to say about Butte America?