12 Michigan Cities, Renamed by AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days. You can't turn on the news without seeing the latest developments.
The potential for AI is boundless - but right now, it's good for entertainment too.
We asked the chatbot ChatGPT to help us rename twelve Michigan cities - and the results, shall we say, were interesting.
Let's take a look.
Detroit = Novation
Novation, Michigan. Perhaps a nod to "innovation"? Detroit has been known to innovate from time to time, what with the automotive industry and Motown just to name a couple. Is Novation a fitting name for the biggest city in Michigan? Might take some getting used to.
Grand Rapids = River City
River City instead of Grand Rapids? It actually might make more sense nowadays. Since dams changed the flow of the river, there haven't been "rapids" on the Grand for a very long time. It's cool to continue to honor the river and all it means to the city though. Chalk one up for AI. River City's not a bad suggestion.
Lansing = Cedar City
Again, not too bad. Lansing takes its name from Lansing, New York. That's just boring. Cedar City, Michigan? At least AI tries to tip its hat to the area's geography.
Flint = Aqua Vista
Aqua Vista, Michigan? Aqua Vista? Too soon, AI, too soon. We're not ready to rename Flint "Water View".
Kalamazoo = Mapleview
We're starting to sense a pattern here, AI. You're getting on a very geographical kick. However, it would be easier to teach out-of-staters how to say Mapleview, Michigan, instead of Kalamazoo.
Jackson = Jackstown
Jackstown instead of Jackson? It's starting to feel like you're not even trying, AI.
Saginaw = Baywood
Could we get used to referring to Saginaw as Baywood, Michigan? Bay City may not be happy about it - but since Saginaw has more people than Bay City (or nearby Midland, for that matter), we say Saginaw gets dibs on taking the Baywood moniker or not.
Ann Arbor = Tree Town
Tree Town, Michigan - home of the Michigan Wolverines! Nothing would garner more national respect than a nice, wholesome city name like Tree Town. Chalk this one up as an AI fail.
Traverse City = Cherryville
Cherryville, Michigan? We don't hate it. Traverse City is rightfully known as the Cherry Capital of the World - why not call it Cherryville? Has a certain charm to it.
Mackinac Island = Enchantica
We know Mackinac Island isn't technically a city... we just wanted to see what AI would do with it. And we found out. It would suggest something that sounds like a Disney movie waiting to happen. Enchantica. Nah, well keep Mackinac. Thanks anyway, AI.
Sault Ste. Marie = Soo City
Soo City instead of Sault Ste. Marie? I think we can get behind this suggestion, AI. The Soo Locks are right there... and Soo will get mispronounced way less than Sault.
Marquette = Lakestone
Lakestone, Michigan instead of Marquette? It's not terrible, but it sort of sounds more like a subdivision than it does a city.
There you have it. Artificial intelligence is still in its infancy. We'll give it a few years and try again.