AI Tries To Write The News: Homeless camp cleanup and near-collision of cruise ships

Editor’s note: AI Tries To Write The News is a weekly feature where a commercial AI blog tool is asked to write news stories about notable local events of the past week, with excerpts of the results provided. The intent is to familiarize readers with what AI-generated news content looks like, and should not be considered factual or "reporting" in any sense other than as a basis of comparison to the human-written articles.

"Clean urban landscape in Juneau following the homeless encampment clearance." (AI-generated photo and caption)

Example 1

Juneau Independent story from June 17, 2025: "Homeless encampment on Teal Street dismantled by police and city officials, forcing occupants to make yet another move"

Jennifer Harris says she knew police and city officials were coming early Tuesday morning to dismantle the encampment of about 20 tents she and others were living in across from the Glory Hall. So when officials showed up shortly before 8 a.m. with a crane and started dismantling sites at the far end of the street she and a companion were already packing up…

AI version: Juneau Officials Take Action to Clear Homeless Encampments Amid Ongoing Community Discussions

This week, city officials and police conducted a cleanup of one of the larger homeless encampments in the area. This action was not taken lightly, as it sparked debate among residents about the approaches to manage homelessness effectively.

Officials cited the need for public safety and health as reasons for the eviction. Concerns arose over sanitation, potential hazards associated with the encampment, and complaints from local businesses and residents. The city organized the effort carefully, providing resources and information on available shelters and support services to those displaced.

Contrasting perspectives emerged from community members. Some residents expressed relief at the action taken, believing that it would lead to a cleaner and safer environment. Others expressed concern regarding the treatment of the homeless population and called for ongoing conversations about sustainable solutions.

Conversations on Compassion and Sustainability

Following the cleanup operation, local advocates conducted meetings to discuss ongoing support for those impacted by the displacement. Many in the community have expressed that a better approach may involve increasing the resources available for those experiencing homelessness rather than simply clearing encampments…

"Cruise ships moored in Juneau during adverse weather conditions." (AI-generated photo and caption)

Example 2

Alaska Beacon story from June 18, 2025: "Coast Guard investigates storm-caused near-collision between two cruise ships in Juneau"

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a near-collision between two cruise ships in the Port of Juneau that occurred Monday, when one of the two ships broke loose from its moorings and drifted toward the other.

“Our investigations division, they’re running with a standard investigation, just like we would do with any similar such incident, just to investigate if there’s anything that could have gone better or not,” said Lt. Matt Naylor, public affairs officer for the Coast Guard sector covering Southeast Alaska…

*****

AI version: Near-Collision of Cruise Ships in Juneau Sparks Concern Amid Sudden Storm

On a stormy Monday in Juneau, Alaska, a startling incident left passengers and crew members rattled. As severe weather struck the area, one cruise ship broke free from its moorings and drifted perilously close to another vessel. This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety measures in place at busy ports and highlighted the dangers vessels face during extreme weather conditions.

The event serves as a timely reminder of the unpredictable nature of maritime operations and the critical need for effective weather monitoring and response strategies.

The Incident Unfolds

Around noon, a sudden storm wreaked havoc in Juneau. Powerful winds gusting up to 50 miles per hour and torrential rain made visibility nearly impossible. The "Majestic Princess," with over 3,000 passengers on board, began to drift away from its docking position, heading directly toward the "Norwegian Bliss," which was moored less than 100 feet away.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos. Crewmembers on the "Majestic Princess" frantically scrambled to regain control while anxious passengers lined the decks, watching the tense situation unfold. The storm's ferocity compromised the ability of nearby port authorities to intervene quickly. Fortunately, the crew’s swift actions prevented a potential catastrophe, as they succeeded in securing the drifting vessel moments before it made contact…