AI Tries To Write The News: Juneau’s upcoming tourism season

Two websites publish articles on Easter with AI-generated content, including fake pictures of Alaska Native celebrations; one of the stories vanishes after the Independent asks about it

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

Juneau’s not typically a place tourists begin a road or rail tour of Alaska, the town’s Maritime Festival is in May rather than June, and that photo is…well, definitely unreal.

Two articles about visiting Alaska’s capital city published at travel websites on Easter Sunday are indicative of the perceptions — and misperceptions — people may get from content that is partly or entirely AI generated. Both articles highlight three specific events — the Maritime Festival, Alaska Folk Festival and Celebration — along with general observations about the upcoming tourism season, all with varying degrees of vagueness and accuracy.

Both articles label their photos — purportedly of Alaska Natives taking part in a Juneau event — as AI-generated. One site based in India acknowledged its article text is AI-assisted in an email to the Juneau Independent. The second site, based in Spain, did not respond to questions submitted Sunday and its article — flagged as mostly or entirely computer generated by two AI-detection websites — was no longer accessible as of Monday.

Example 1

AI-generated photo published by Travel And Tour World.

Travel And Tour World story from April 5, 2026: "Juneau Alaska Set to Welcome Thousands in 2026 as Cultural Festivals and Cruise Ship Traffic Surge Creating a Vibrant Travel Destination: What You Need To Know"

Opening paragraph: "As summer approaches in June 2026, Juneau, Alaska is set to become a vibrant hub for cultural tourism, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. With a dynamic lineup of festivals, including the Celebration Festival, the Alaska Folk Festival, and the Maritime Festival, the state capital is preparing for an unprecedented season of Indigenous heritage celebrations, music, and maritime activities. This festival season not only promises to boost tourism but will also be a significant draw for the increasing number of cruise ships that make Juneau a regular stop. These events will showcase the rich cultural fabric of Alaska, offering unique experiences for both locals and tourists alike."

Publisher’s self-description: "Travel and Tour World (TTW) is a global multilingual travel media platform that connects the international tourism community — travellers, industry professionals, businesses, and destinations — through information, insight, and communication. Built on decades of authority, we have evolved to provide the definitive insights that empower businesses and inspire discerning travelers worldwide."

Chat GPT rating: Article is 96.6% AI/GPT-generated.

Notable glitches: "Juneau’s Maritime Festival will also make waves in June"; "cruise ship traffic is expected to surge in June 2026, bringing more tourists to Juneau than ever before" (a similar or slightly lower number of passengers are expected); "many visitors will also use Juneau as a starting point for longer Alaskan journeys, whether by rail or by road"; the consistent use of "native" rather than "Native."

Generic text that could be "name swapped" for almost anywhere: Numerous instances such as "Juneau’s summer festivals in 2026 are a reflection of the city’s deep-rooted traditions and modern vibrancy. These events, each with its own unique focus, will play a pivotal role in the tourism landscape of Alaska."

Example of what it gets right: "The Celebration Festival is a pinnacle event for Juneau, showcasing the heritage, artistry, and culture of Alaska’s Indigenous communities. This event, a biennial celebration, draws visitors to experience native dances, songs, and art, all while honoring the traditions of Alaska’s diverse Indigenous populations."

The website’s response: "Our content may use AI-assisted tools in the drafting stage, but all articles are reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our editorial team prior to publication," wrote Asmita Karmakar, a spokesperson for Travel And Tour World, in an email to the Juneau Independent. "We acknowledge that transparency around AI use is important and are currently reviewing how best to communicate this more clearly to our readers. We have also forwarded your concerns to our editorial team, and they will take care of it."

"Regarding the image, we used an AI-generated visual where suitable licensed images were not readily available, and we have clearly mentioned that the image is AI-generated in the caption below it. We also understand and take seriously the concerns around cultural representation and are evaluating our approach accordingly."

Example 2

AI-generated photo published by Nomad Lawyer.

Nomad Lawyer story from April 5, 2026: Juneau Alaska Summer 2026 Festival Season Explodes: Indigenous Heritage Celebrations, Cruise Ship Crowds, and Cultural Tourism Surge

Opening paragraph: "Juneau, Alaska's capital city, is experiencing an unprecedented cultural explosion in 2026 as the festival season transforms the region into one of North America's most vibrant Indigenous heritage destinations. The convergence of three major festivals — the Alaska Folk Festival in April, the Juneau Maritime Festival in May, and the flagship Celebration festival in June — is creating a tourism surge that will reshape travel patterns to Southeast Alaska throughout the spring and summer months. With thousands of visitors expected to arrive via cruise ships and air travel, the city's infrastructure, hotels, and local businesses are bracing for what promises to be the most significant cultural tourism event in the region's recent history."

Publisher’s self-description: "A travel site dedicated to transformative travel, responsible tourism, eco-tourism, travel laws, travel news — and the curious minds behind every journey."

Chat GPT rating: Article is 100% AI/GPT-generated.

Notable glitches: "…the most significant cultural tourism event in the region's recent history…" (since, as the article itself notes, these are recurring festivals); "Juneau distributes cultural activities throughout June with daily outdoor concerts…";  use of "native" rather than "Native."

Generic text that could be "name swapped" for almost anywhere: Largely avoided, although certain characterizations might be questioned by some people: "The unique festival model that Juneau has developed differs significantly from conventional tourism destinations that rely on single mega-events. Instead of concentrating all cultural programming into one massive festival, Juneau distributes cultural activities throughout June with daily outdoor concerts, evening art walks through galleries, theatre performances on community stages, and local vendor fairs that create continuous engagement across the entire month."

Example of what it gets right: Specific dates for the three events are accurate, as are the general descriptions (the article attributes its Celebration description to Sealaska Heritage Institute, for instance, whose website offers a wealth of information to scan).

The website’s response: The listed contact at the website did not respond to inquiries Sunday from the Juneau Independent. The article was no longer accessible as of Monday and the page was not preserved in the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.