WE ASKED AI chatbot ChatGPT what the worst things in Basingstoke are - this is what it said

ChatGPT has become a hit because of its ability to hold conversations and generate speeches, songs and essays.

Basically, people can ask ChatGPT anything and it will respond in a natural, human way. 

While some people are opting to use the site for fun, others are concerned it may become the new way to write school essays and even news articles, and could even replace journalists. 

READ MORE: We asked ChatGPT to write a love letter to Basingstoke

We decided to ask the text-based AI to list the worst things about Basingstoke to see if there’s any truth in what it comes up with.

Here’s what it came up with - but is it true? 

1. Poor public transport links: ChatGPT said: "Basingstoke has limited bus and train services, making it difficult to get around the area." 

Is it fair for ChatGPT to say that Basingstoke has poor transport links? When Stagecoach announced changes to the bus services, some residents who spoke to the Gazette were concerned, but Stagecoach hopes that the changes implemented last month will improve overall punctuality across the network.

Basingstoke train station is very connected, with services linking the town to London Waterloo, Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth, Reading and Exeter. Sure, there are sometimes issues with reliability but it would be hard to argue that we are poorly connected 

2. Lack of entertainment and leisure options. ChatGPT said: "Basingstoke lacks a vibrant nightlife compared to other towns and cities in the area, which can make it difficult to find fun things to do."

We're not quite sure this is right. Basingstoke is fortunate to have two cinemas and two theatres which are always offering something entertaining.

The town also has Hollywood Bowl, Flip Out and iFLY Indoor Skydiving. We also have Milestones and the Willis Museum.

3. High cost of living: ChatGPT added: "Basingstoke is an expensive place to live and work, making it difficult for many people to afford to live there."

With the cost of living increasing, everyone is feeling the pinch.

More than 5,000 children are living in poverty in Basingstoke and Deane, according to statistics from children’s charity Action for Children. Figures show that 22.4 per cent – or seven children in every class of 30 – were living in poverty in 2020/21, which are the most recent figures available.

Homes are also pricey, but homes sold in Basingstoke, however, were lower than the Hampshire average (£425,129).

Rightmove says that properties in Basingstoke had an overall average price of £359,105 over the last year.

4. Limited job opportunities: ChatGPT said: "The local economy is dominated by large companies and there are limited job opportunities for people looking to find work in Basingstoke."

There’s no way of knowing how or why this information was obtained by ChatGPT, how can job opportunities be measured by AI?

According to Varbes, an online insight tool, the mean average salary for full-time employees of was £40,540 in 2022. Basingstoke and Deane's unemployment rate was 5.5 per cent last year.

5. Congestion: ChatGPT said: "With a large population and limited public transport options, Basingstoke suffers from high levels of traffic congestion, making it difficult to get around the area."

Now, if you regularly commute I'm sure you've been stuck in traffic trying to get to work. 

The route towards the Black Dam roundabout and Junction 7 of the M3 regularly gets jammed in the mornings. The construction work at Brighton Hill Roundabout is also causing some delays for motorists. 

But, is this worse than any other town? We're not so sure. 

What do you think? Any truth in the AI's words?