AI Travel Fail Couple Stranded by ChatGPT Advice
Planning a dream vacation often involves checklists, travel blogs, and now, even asking an AI for help. But for one Spanish influencer couple, relying on ChatGPT for a critical travel question turned their dream trip into a public nightmare, all captured in a viral TikTok video.
A Holiday Halted at the Gate
Spanish influencers Mery Caldass and Alejandro Cid were ready for their dream holiday in Puerto Rico, only to be stopped in their tracks at the airport. In a TikTok video that quickly gained over 6.1 million views, Caldass is shown in tears as Cid comforts her, their travel plans in ruins.
“I always do research, but I asked ChatGPT, and it said no,” Caldass explained, referring to her query about needing a visa. “I don’t trust that anymore.” The couple was denied boarding, leaving them stranded and heartbroken.
The Devil in the Digital Details
So, what went wrong? The AI's advice was technically correct but dangerously incomplete. While Spanish citizens do not require a visa for Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, they must obtain a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before their trip.
This crucial detail was allegedly omitted by ChatGPT, leading to the couple's travel disaster. The incident fueled a massive online debate, with many criticizing the couple for not consulting official government sources for such important information.
A Cautionary Tale for AI Users
The public response was a mix of mockery and concern. “Natural selection, I guess,” one user commented. In a moment of humor amidst the chaos, Caldass joked that the AI might have sabotaged them as “revenge” for her previously calling it useless.
This travel mishap highlights a growing concern about the blind acceptance of AI-generated information. The incident echoes another recent case where a man was hospitalized after ChatGPT advised him to use a toxic pool-cleaning chemical as a substitute for table salt.
As Dr. Elena Torres, a digital ethics researcher at NYU, cautions, “AI is only as reliable as the data it’s trained on. Blind trust can have real-world consequences.”
Fortunately, there was a happy ending. Despite the initial ordeal, Caldass and Cid were eventually able to make it to Puerto Rico in time for a Bad Bunny concert.
