Is AI any good at choosing gifts?

Like many of us at this time of year, Josie Hughes wracks her brain to think of gifts for friends and family.

However, last month she decided to try a different approach.

Being familiar with artificial intelligence (AI), particularly through her work at the Institute of Analytics, she decided to see if AI could generate Christmas present ideas for her nine-year-old brother.

“I use AI all the time for my job, for example, help writing emails as I have autism and ADHD and I struggle…and I thought with Christmas coming up, I wonder if it can help me,” says Ms Hughes, who lives in Eastbourne.

She asked ChatGPT for suggestions for a gift for a nine-year old who loves the outdoors.

“It recommended a slackline – like a tight rope – as well as a fishing kit and survival kit. He lives in a woodland area, and I was really impressed, I hadn’t thought of those gifts.

“I find it hard to trawl the internet; I don’t want the faff. This saves you a lot of time. It’s better for suggestions than just asking Google.”

As a result, she’ll be wrapping a slackline for him this Christmas.