Remember the great fire of Canterbury Cathedral in 2019? Or perhaps the Noel Edmonds-inspired tourist attraction in Margate? No, us neither.

But, according to ChatGPT – the quite remarkable online 'bot' which can write students' essays, pen poetry and is being hailed as the future for our online fact-finding and writing needs – they all happened.

The 'facts' emerged during an 'interview' about Kent we had with the artificial intelligence language model – which last month had 100 million users – as we put it through its paces.

During the online chat, we asked it everything from politics to the debate over Kent's county town and even asked it to pen us a poem – and a song – about this great county of ours.

Some of its answers were spot on – others a long way from the truth...we'll point out the error of its ways as we go.

But for now, here's what happened when KentOnline met ChatGPT.

Hello ChatGPT – nice to meet you. I wonder if we could discuss the county of Kent today – I have a few questions for you? First of all, could you explain what ChatGPT is?

Hello! Nice to meet you too.

ChatGPT is an AI language model developed by OpenAI. It uses deep learning techniques to generate human-like responses to natural language inputs. It can answer a wide range of questions and provide information on various topics, making it a useful tool for research, education, and general inquiry.

Of course, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the county of Kent. Fire away!

Before we start, have you heard of KentOnline?

Yes, KentOnline.co.uk is a news and information website that covers local news and events in Kent, England. It is part of the KM Media Group, which also owns several other local newspapers and websites in the region.

Have you ever actually visited Kent?

As an artificial intelligence language model, I do not have a physical form, so I cannot visit places. However, I have access to a vast amount of information and knowledge about Kent, including its geography, history, culture, and economy. If you have any questions or topics you would like me to explore related to Kent, feel free to ask!

OK, let's start in Thanet – and some of these questions may be trying to catch you out, just to warn you. What was Bembom Brothers in Margate, what did it become, and what is there today?

Bembom Brothers was a well-known amusement arcade located on Margate's seafront. It was a popular attraction in the town and was especially popular with visitors during the summer months.

In the early 2000s, Bembom Brothers was acquired by Dreamland, a historic amusement park in Margate. Dreamland invested in Bembom Brothers and rebranded it as 'Bembom Brothers White Knuckle Zone'. This new attraction featured a range of thrilling rides and attractions, including a roller coaster, go-karts and a pirate ship.

Today, Bembom Brothers White Knuckle Zone no longer exists as a standalone attraction. In 2015, Dreamland was reopened as a retro-themed amusement park, with a focus on preserving the park's historic rides and attractions. The park has undergone significant renovations and now features a range of vintage and modern rides, as well as live events, music, and food and drink offering.

Hmmm...I thought Bembom Brothers were Dutch?

You are correct, my apologies for the error in my previous response. Bembom Brothers was indeed a Dutch company that operated amusement arcades in several locations around the world, including Margate. The Margate location was known for its extensive collection of classic and vintage arcade machines, including pinball machines, video games, and slot machines.

After Bembom Brothers Margate closed in the early 2000s, the arcade was eventually replaced by a new attraction called The World of Crinkley Bottom, which itself closed in 2009. Today, the site where Bembom Brothers once stood is occupied by a hotel and restaurant called The Sands Hotel.

[KOL comments: ChatGPT stumbled a tad here. Bembom Brothers was a Dutch company which ran theme parks and took over Dreamland – which had been a long-standing entertainment site – in 1981. Far from offering vintage rides, its were cutting edge in the UK at the time. Before it exited the park in 1990 (not the 2000s), the site was called Bembom Brothers' White Knuckle Park (not Zone). Amusingly, and perhaps to our lasting regret, Margate didn't boast The World of Crinkley Bottom (based on the fictional town where Noel's House Party was set and where Mr Blobby lived, we assume). There was a Noel's World of Crinkley Bottom in Morecambe – but that closed in 1994 after just 13 weeks of welcoming guests. And, finally, the Sands Hotel (which closed last year and is due to reopen in June under a new name) does not occupy the former Bembom Brothers site...which, of course, is Dreamland).]

Er...OK...well let's move on shall we. There's been plenty of debate recently around what the county town of Kent should be. So...Maidstone or Canterbury – what do you think?

As an AI language model, I cannot have an opinion on this matter, as I am programmed to remain neutral and provide factual information. However, I can provide some context on the debate surrounding the county town of Kent.

Historically, Canterbury has been considered the county town of Kent, as it was the site of the original county council and has long been seen as the cultural and historical heart of the county. However, in recent years, there has been a push to establish Maidstone as the county town, due to its central location and status as the administrative centre of Kent County Council.

In 2019, a report commissioned by Kent County Council recommended that the county town status be officially transferred from Canterbury to Maidstone, citing the latter's more modern infrastructure and accessibility. However, this proposal has been met with opposition from some quarters, who argue that Canterbury's historical and cultural significance should not be overlooked. Ultimately, any decision on the county town status of Kent would need to be made by the relevant authorities and would likely be subject to public consultation and debate.

You sure about that old chap? I thought Maidstone was the county town?

You are absolutely right, and I apologise for my previous response containing incorrect information. Maidstone is indeed the current county town of Kent, having assumed the role in the 1970s when the former administrative county of Kent was abolished and replaced by the current two-tier system of local government. I appreciate you bringing this to my attention, and thank you for correcting me.

[KOL comments: ChatGPT came rather unstuck with the original question – believing Canterbury was the county town (after stating it provides 'factual information'). The facts? Up until 1814, the county's administrative centres were split, with Maidstone the key town for west Kent and Canterbury fulfilling the same role for the east of the county. But Maidstone was always seen as the county town due to its position and size, officially getting the title – which it's held ever since – in 1889. As for that KCC report it mentions? If you've got it, we'd love to see it.

What are the five biggest news stories in Kent over the last 10 years?

Here are five significant news stories in Kent over the last 10 years:

Operation Stack: In 2015, a strike by French ferry workers and a migrant crisis in Calais led to the implementation of Operation Stack, where lorries were parked on the M20 motorway in Kent. The disruption caused significant economic and travel problems in the region, and efforts have been made to find a more effective solution to similar situations in the future.

Brexit: The decision by the UK to leave the European Union had a significant impact on Kent, particularly with regard to trade and cross-border travel. The county has been at the forefront of discussions about the impact of Brexit on the UK's relationship with the EU and on the local economy.

Canterbury Cathedral fire: In 2019, a fire broke out at Canterbury Cathedral, causing significant damage to part of the building. The blaze was tackled by over 50 firefighters, and fortunately, there were no injuries. The restoration work on the cathedral is still ongoing.

Covid-19 pandemic: The global Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Kent, as it has on the rest of the world. The county has seen high infection rates, and the government has implemented various restrictions and lockdowns to try to curb the spread of the virus.

Dover fuel protests: In 2021, fuel protests took place in Dover, with lorry drivers and other protesters blockading roads and ports in a demonstration against fuel prices and working conditions. The protests caused significant disruption to traffic and trade in the region, and highlighted some of the challenges faced by those in the haulage industry

A fire at Canterbury Cathedral in 2019 you say? Tell me more about that – how serious was it?

Yes, in July 2019, a fire broke out in the roof of Canterbury Cathedral, which is one of the most iconic and historic buildings in the city. The fire was first reported in the early afternoon and quickly spread, causing significant damage to the roof and some of the interior of the building.

Fortunately, the cathedral's emergency response team acted quickly, and the fire was brought under control within a few hours. There were no reports of any injuries, and the damage was not as extensive as it could have been thanks to the swift response of the emergency services.

However, the fire did cause significant damage to the roof of the cathedral, which had to be repaired. This repair work was extensive and took several months to complete. As a result, parts of the cathedral had to be closed to the public, and some of the regular services and events had to be relocated to other venues.

Despite the damage caused by the fire, Canterbury Cathedral remains one of the city's most popular and iconic tourist attractions, and visitors from all over the world continue to flock to the site to marvel at its stunning architecture and rich history.

[KOL comments: After four sound responses, the Canterbury Cathedral fire one left us a little confused. There was no blaze. This is a perfect example of how ChatGPT is not a reliable source of factual information – or, at least, that all claims should be double-checked. When we asked the same question later in the day, we got the same response – when pushed it admitted it was wrong and offered us a substitute story...about Gatwick Airport, which, of course, isn't in Kent.]

There is an awful lot of house-building going on in Kent at the moment – much to the annoyance of many. Why is so much of our county being built on and when will it ever stop?

Kent, like many other parts of the UK, is facing a housing crisis, with a shortage of affordable homes for residents. The UK government has set ambitious targets for new house building, which has put pressure on local authorities in Kent to identify new sites for development.

"It is likely that the pressure to build new homes will continue for the foreseeable future"

There are several reasons why so much of the county is being built on. One factor is that the population of Kent has been growing rapidly in recent years, with more people moving to the area to take advantage of its excellent transport links, job opportunities, and high quality of life. As a result, there is a high demand for new homes to be built to accommodate this growing population.

Another factor is that many of the existing homes in Kent are older, and not built to modern energy efficiency standards. This means that they can be expensive to heat and maintain, and may not be suitable for the needs of modern families.

Finally, there is pressure on the UK government to meet its targets for reducing carbon emissions, and building new, energy-efficient homes is seen as one way of achieving this goal.

The construction of new homes in Kent is a contentious issue, with many residents and community groups expressing concern about the impact on the local environment and infrastructure. However, it is likely that the pressure to build new homes will continue for the foreseeable future, as the demand for housing in Kent is unlikely to decrease anytime soon.

How are you enjoying our chat so far?

As an AI language model, I don't have emotions, but I'm programmed to provide helpful and informative responses to the best of my ability. I hope I have been meeting your expectations so far!

Indeed! What is the political leaning of the county of Kent and how has it changed over the last 40 years?

Historically, Kent has been a Conservative-leaning county, with the Conservative Party having a strong base of support in many parts of the county. However, like many other parts of the UK, the political landscape in Kent has shifted over the last 40 years, with changes in voting patterns and demographic shifts.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the Conservative Party dominated Kent politics, with the party winning most of the county's parliamentary seats and controlling many of the local authorities. However, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Labour Party made significant gains in Kent, particularly in urban areas like Medway and Thanet.

How many Labour MPs did Kent have following the 2019 general election?

Following the 2019 UK general election, Labour won two parliamentary seats in Kent. The two seats were Canterbury and Medway. Rosie Duffield was re-elected as the MP for Canterbury and received a higher vote share than in the 2017 election. However, Labour lost the seat of Thanet South, which they had won in the 2017 election.

[KOL comments: Another slip up here...Yes, Labour won again in Canterbury, but all Medway's seats were true blue. Likewise, the Thanet South constituency has been Conservative since 2010 when Labour lost its grip on the seat]

Fair enough. Looking to Medway, what happened to Rochester's city status?

Rochester was a city until 1998, when it lost its city status as part of local government reorganisation. At the time, the government decided to create a new unitary authority called Medway, which combined the existing towns of Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, and Strood.

As part of this reorganisation, the status of Rochester as a city was revoked, and it became part of the new Medway unitary authority as a non-city town. Despite this loss of status, Rochester remains an important historic town in Kent, with a rich cultural heritage and many notable landmarks, including Rochester Castle and cathedral.

[KOL comments: Fundamentally this is correct. However, what is believed to have actually happened was more administrative oversight during the creation of the unitary authority. The error was only noticed four years later when it was noticed Rochester was no longer on a list of UK cities. Efforts to regain it subsequently have failed.]

Talking of tourism, what are the top five tourist destinations – in terms of the number of people visiting – in Kent?

Kent is a popular tourist destination with a wide range of attractions and landmarks that draw visitors from around the world. Here are the top five tourist destinations in Kent in terms of the number of visitors they attract:

Canterbury Cathedral: One of the most iconic landmarks in Kent, Canterbury Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. It attracts over a million visitors a year.

Leeds Castle: Often referred to as the "loveliest castle in the world", Leeds Castle is a historic fortress located in Maidstone. It is set on an island in a lake and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. It attracts over 600,000 visitors a year.

Dover Castle: Another historic fortress, Dover Castle is one of the most important castles in England due to its strategic location overlooking the English Channel. It attracts over 350,000 visitors a year.

Whitstable: A charming seaside town famous for its oysters, Whitstable attracts over 300,000 visitors a year.

Margate: A traditional seaside town with a rich history, Margate is home to a range of attractions including Dreamland amusement park and the Turner Contemporary art gallery. It attracts over 200,000 visitors a year.

Didn't there used to be a water park called Fantaseas in Dartford? I wonder what happened to that and the reasons it closed? Can you shed any light on it?

Yes, you are correct. Fantaseas was a popular water park located in Dartford, Kent. It was opened in 1989 and was one of the largest indoor water parks in Europe at the time.

However, the park faced financial difficulties in the late 1990s due to a combination of factors such as competition from other leisure parks and a decline in visitor numbers. It was also impacted by the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which affected tourism across the UK.

In 2002, Fantaseas was forced to close due to financial losses and mounting debts. Since then, the site has been redeveloped and is now home to a number of retail outlets, including a supermarket and other shops.

[KOL comments: Fantaseas actually closed in 1992 – and had nothing to do with the foot-and-mouth outbreak (some nine years after the park had shutdown). It was due to dipping numbers outside weekends and school holidays and subsidence. Housing is now on the site]

As you can write things, could you write me a three verse poem in the style of William Wordsworth on what makes Kent such a great place to live and work?

Certainly, here's a three-verse poem about Kent in the style of William Wordsworth:

Beneath the rolling hills of Kent

The fields stretch out in gold and green,

Where orchards bear their bounteous fruit

And countryside is oft serene.

The white cliffs loom above the shore

Where waves crash in a timeless sound,

And seagulls cry and dip and soar

And fishermen ply boats aground.

From Canterbury's ancient walls

To Dover's castle on the hill,

The land is rich in history

And tales that linger on us still.

Oh Kent, thy beauty doth abound

In every corner of thy land,

And we shall treasure thee always

As one of England's finest strands.

[KOL comments: Looks like four verses to us, but what do we know? We also asked ChatGPT to write lyrics to a song about Kent in the style of The Beatles and Bob Dylan. But thought its best effort was for a song in the style of satirical rockers Half Man Half Biscuit, which, frankly, we could (almost) imagine them singing:

Verse 1:

I took a trip to Kent, the garden of England

Hoping to find some peace, and maybe some enlightenment

But all I found were traffic jams, and endless roundabouts

And a feeling that I'd never find my way out

Chorus:

Oh Kent, oh Kent, the land of the hop

Where the countryside's lovely, but the traffic won't stop

Oh Kent, oh Kent, I wish I could leave

But I'm stuck in this county, with no reprieve

Verse 2:

I tried to find a beach, to relax and unwind

But every stretch of sand was crowded and confined

And when I tried to take a walk, I stumbled on some golf

And ended up dodging balls, with a feeling of revolt

Chorus:

Oh Kent, oh Kent, the land of the hop

Where the countryside's lovely, but the traffic won't stop

Oh Kent, oh Kent, I wish I could leave

But I'm stuck in this county, with no reprieve

Verse 3:

I tried to find a pub, to drown my sorrows in ale

But every one I visited, was a chain or a stale

And when I asked for local brews, they offered me some lager

And I felt like a stranger, in my own damn culture

Chorus:

Oh Kent, oh Kent, the land of the hop

Where the countryside's lovely, but the traffic won't stop

Oh Kent, oh Kent, I wish I could leave

But I'm stuck in this county, with no reprieve

Outro:

So if you're thinking of visiting, this land of plenty

Just remember my warning, and pack yourself plenty

Of patience and endurance, and maybe a map or two

Or else you'll end up like me, lost in Kent too.]

Well thanks very much for that ChatGPT – it's been good to chat. So for those who aren't familiar with what you can do – what can people ask you to produce? Are you just an elaborate version of Google? And, forgive me for asking, but can we trust everything you say? Oh, and keep it short and sweet if you'd be so kind.

As an AI language model, I can answer a wide range of questions on various topics such as science, history, entertainment, and more. People can ask me to provide information, explain concepts, or even generate content such as writing prompts, essays, or stories. While I have access to a vast amount of information, I am not perfect and can make errors, so it's always a good idea to fact-check important information. However, I strive to provide accurate and trustworthy responses to the best of my ability.

"I am not perfect and can make errors"

Thanks for your time! Good luck

You're welcome! Don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions in the future. Have a great day!

[KOL comments: I must admit, ChatGPT responds in a coherent, and convincing manner to a range of topics – some bang on, others seemingly confusing information it is sourcing from its available resources to come up with dramatically incorrect answers. The good news, for this reporter at least, is that it isn't quite up to taking my job...yet]

You too can get up close and personal with ChatGPT by clicking here...it's free to use (for now at least), but you need to register. Oh, and be alert to the fact it draws on information only up to 2021 – so don't expect to know about events or people after that date.